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✪ Families devoted to UAE cricket turn up to watch the live IPL action
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Senior cricket writer & analyst
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Cricket fans enjoy watching the IPL and many made sure to be there for the first match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. Waleed Bukhatir of Sharjah Cricket Stadium and Emirates Cricket Board’s spokesperson Zayed Mohammad Redha Abbas were among them. Two budding cricketers along with their father also turned up to root for Chennai Super Kings while Harbhajan Singh’s presence at the Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium was motivating for KKR.
Waleed Bukhatir (left) with Zayed Mohammad Redha Abbas
The tradition among many UAE nationals who have promoted cricket in a big way has continued. Abdulrehman Bukhatir, who brought international cricket to the UAE, and Mohammad Redha Abbas, former Emirates Cricket Board Executive member and the current vice president of Dubai Cricket Council, have devoted a lot of their time to promote cricket in the region. Now their sons too are carrying on the mantle.
Waleed Bukhatir serves as the vice-chairman of the Sharjah Cricket Stadium while Zayed Mohammad Redha Abbas is the official spokesperson for the Emirates Cricket Board. Both of them rarely miss being present for international matches held in the UAE, and they also turn up for some of the domestic cricket contests. When Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians clashed in the opening match of the second half of the Indian Premier League on September 19, 2021, Waleed and Zayed sat together and enjoyed the action. Incidentally, Waleed took time off from preparing the Sharjah Stadium, which has been renovated for the IPL and the oncoming T20 World Cup.
When asked about how it felt to watch IPL’s opening match, Zayed said: “Extremely proud to witness the IPL in person for the third time in our beautiful country, record scores, and great matches played on the world’s most popular grounds. We wish the BCCI, the sponsors, organisers, and all the IPL teams the best in this league with lots of success.”
UAE’s budding cricketers and their father root for Chennai
Two promising cricket siblings from the UAE, Aarav Hariharan, and Aayush Hariharan, along with their father Hariharan Kuppuswamy, turned up to cheer for Chennai Super Kings against Mumbai Indians at the Dubai International Stadium. Aarav is a fine leg spinner and has earned the honour of bagging the best bowler award from tournaments organised by Sharjah, Dubai and Ajman cricket councils this season. Aayush is a fine left-arm pacer but is currently focused on preparing for his Grade 10 exams.
Aarav Hariharan, Aayush Hariharan and Hariharan Kuppuswamy
“We are Chennai Super Kings’ super fans. We never miss any matches and religiously follow their journey, and in fact, we believe we are part of the journey too. CSK is one team that has never disappointed their fans since their first season and we are super proud of this factor,” remarked Hariharan. Aarav, who has attended a masterclass with Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, had produced an amazing spell of six wickets for three runs, clean bowling five of the batsmen, this season.
Harbhajan Singh’s presence is motivating
Though India’s legendary off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was not in the playing eleven for the Kolkata Knight Riders, his presence is said to be a big motivation for the team. He turned 41 just a few months back. This spinner has bagged 417 Test wickets and 269 wickets from One Day Internationals and 25 wickets from T20 Internationals. He is also a four-time IPL winner.
Harbhajan Singh
When Abu Dhabi Cricket approached him for a comment on the spirit with which he continues to play, Harbhajan, who has taken a short break from cricket last year, said: “I just wanted to be there on the park. I felt there was something missing, I need to go and complete it. That was the only motivation, to go out there and do what you need to do to finish things off, and that’s the reason why I came back.”
Known for his quick riposte, when he was asked what it needs to win the IPL, he said: “We have got nothing to lose as a team. From here, everything is upward. You win everything, you win the championship, simple as that.”
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