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✪ Watching champions West Indies train from under a tree with my 13th ICC World Cup accreditation card
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Senior cricket writer & analyst
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The ICC Academy in Dubai was bustling with activity and all ready to welcome teams training at this facility. Reigning champions West Indies had arrived to train. The entire academy was dressed in the T20 World Cup flags and there was one banner with the message ‘Live the game’, which has a story. It prepares you for the first-ever World Cup in the UAE, with the first match in the UAE being held tomorrow at the Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium.
West Indies train beside ‘Live The Game’ banner
I was at the ICC academy to collect my accreditation card. It was a special feeling for me since this would be my 13th World Cup from both formats of the game, and this accreditation card will join my collection of ICC accreditation cards over the years.
While at the ICC Academy, I met UAE Head Coach and former Indian allrounder Robin Singh and former Pakistan opener Mudassar Nazar, who is the Head of Emirates Cricket Board’s National Academy and a selector as well. Singh was busy training the UAE cricketers and Nazar was about to deliver a lecture to budding cricketers at the academy. For the youngsters, training at the ICC Academy must have been inspiring especially with T20 World Cup flags fluttering all around. It was interesting to have a quick chat with Singh and the ever-smiling Nazar who has been busy planning strategies for cricket development in the UAE.
West Indies train at the ICC Academy ground with trees all around
Spotting me collect my 13th World Cup card, an Indian regional TV channel, Malayala Manorama TV, wanted to talk to me about the oncoming Indian-Pakistan clash. I got to watch the West Indies train only from a distance since all players are in the bubble and well protected with railings and security all around.
The ICC Academy is green all around with a number of trees providing the much-needed relief for media personnel from the blazing sun while watching the team’s train.
One of the fluttering banner with the words ‘Live the game’ on it caught my attention. ‘Live the game’ is the title of the official campaign of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021. This anthem is available on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Gaana, on digital platforms like Facebook, Instagram, radio platforms such as Radio Mirchi FM, City FM, CRBT platforms like Jio, Vodafone, and short format apps like Takatak.
Fence around the ICC Academy
The ICC had also released an animated film composed by renowned Bollywood music director, Amit Trivedi, that has a group of players brought to life as ‘avatars’ that interact with each other throughout the film. West Indies captain Kieron Pollard who was seen right below the ‘Live the game’ banner has featured in it. Soon after appearing in the campaign, Pollard had remarked: “T20 cricket has proven time and time again that it can engage fans of all ages, and I’m excited to bring some fireworks to the stadiums in the UAE and for those watching all over the world.”
Fans can listen to the T20 World Cup commentary on Talk 100.3FM in Hindi, in Tamil on Tamil FM 89.4 FM, and in Malayalam on Club FM.
Tight security protects the players
Sri Lanka will meet Namibia at the Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium on October 18, 2021 (6 pm) in front of a large number of Sri Lankan fans who are expected to turn up to cheer their team while Ireland will play the Netherlands in the first match of the day.
Sri Lankan coach Mickey Arthur has rightly remarked about the round one qualifier: “This is really important since it is a bit of a cut-throat qualifier. You’ve got three games and one needs to hit the ground running without a doubt.” It is worth reminding ourselves that Sri Lanka has reached the semifinal four times between 2009 and 2014.
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