Starved of cricket, fans in UAE wait for Indo-Pak series

Dubai, Apr 14 (UNI) Fans in UAE are waiting impatiently for the two-match ODI series between India and Pakistan to get underway in Abu Dhabi, which will revive the dormant cricket scene here.

UAE has not played host to any international tournament for the past five years and fans are eagerly looking forward to the Indo-Pak series after being deprived of any cricket action.

The tournament is the first since ICC moved its headquarters here last year and the Khaleej Times reported that it is likely to see packed stadiums.

Former Pakistan cricketer Zakir Hussain Syed , who was also the development manager for cricket in Asia for the Asian Cricket Council discussed the two teams with the daily and said on current form India definitely had an upperhand.

''India are on top of the game as they are in the process of developing a team consisting of youth and experience. They have been quite successful in their pursuit as they have unearthed some talented players like Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Munaf Patel and S Sreesanth,'' he said.

However, Zakir was quick to add that Inzama-ul Haq's team could not be counted out entirely as they had shown their fighting spirit quite a few times in the past.

''Pakistan are full of confidence as they have performed well in Sri Lanka winning the one-day and Test series. Mohammed Asif is emerging as a key bowler for Pakistan. Pakistan's one great advantage is that they believe in themselves. They are a unified unit,'' he said.

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