Editorial: April 2009

Cricket the big hit

What a time to be a cricket fan!

My vote for the world’s greatest team, Afghanistan, claimed another 2011 Cricket World Cup Qualifier victim with a 60-run triumph over Bermuda in Potchefstroom. They’re getting closer ...

The team that won tournaments in Jersey, Tanzania and Argentina to reach the final qualifying stage for the World Cup made 9-239 in 50 overs before dismissing their opponents for 179.

The team of battlers from the war-torn nation looks set to reach the Super Eights phase, where the top four finishers secure places at the 2011 World Cup in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan (hopefully) and Sri Lanka.

Many of honed their skills in Pakistan refugee camps after fleeing the conflict in their homeland. Keep the scoreboard ticking over guys.
Which leads us nicely into some fresh news that cricket will be in the next Asian Games. It’s been run out a few times, but it’s there for certain this time. In 18 months’ time the biggest sporting show in Asia heads to China as Guangzhou will host the 16th edition of the Games. Teams of 11 will play a 20 over format.

And matches will be contested by men and woman.
Closer to home we have an absolute belter of a series coming up shortly with the Aussies and Pakistan set to go at it in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. We all know the terrible reasons the series had to be switched from Pakistan to the Gulf and so do the players. Let’s just enjoy the cricket for a bit.

This is a home game series for the Pakistanis. You might have noticed that entitles them to bring in their own curator to prepare the pitch. They’re doing it too. You gotta love this game.

And we do. Enjoy our expanded cricket coverage this month.

Philip Moore
Publishing director
Philip@rms.ae