Qatar invites ’83, ’11 cricket world champs for 2022 World Cup
MUMBAI: Two sets of India’s cricket World Cup champions are set to get the taste of the biggest show in football from up close.
A senior official of the 2022 FIFA World Cup to be staged in Qatar has invited members of the triumphant 1983 and 2011 squads to witness the tournament, tentatively scheduled from Nov 21 to Dec 18 over three years from now.
Nasser Al Khater, CEO of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar organising committee, extended the invitation to India’s cricketing heroes during an awards function here at the weekend.
“It is safe to say that this World Cup (in Qatar) is for all of us to celebrate. I think I have to say we look forward to welcoming you there,” he said.
“I did not realise how big cricket was in India. I know there are some members from the 1983 World Cup-winning team that beat West Indies are here, and there are members from the team that won the World Cup in 2011. I extend you a special invitation to come and attend the football World Cup in Qatar.”
Khater also invited members of the Indian football team to witness the World Cup.
India’s 1983 team, captained by Kapil Dev, stunned the cricket world when it upstaged defending champions West Indies. who were chasing a title hat-trick, in the final at Lord’s.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who had captained India to a surprise win in the inaugural World T20 in 2007, completed a double when he led the team to victory in the oneday version as well in 2011, defeating Sri Lanka in the final.
India captain Virat Kohli remained on top while teammate Cheteshwar Pujara remained third in the latest ICC Test rankings where Sri Lanka’s Kusal Perera made a quantum leap of 58 places.
Kohli leads the chart with 992 rating points, ahead of New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson (897) and Pujara (881).
Perera has reached a career best 40th position after 15 Tests, on top of his scores of 51 and an unbeaten 153 that guided his team to an improbable one-wicket win over South Africa in Durban.
NEW HIGH FOR CUMMINS
In the bowlers’ list, Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins has overtaken South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada to take the top spot. Cummins is the first from his country to top the rankings since Glenn Mcgrath held pole position in the list, in February 2006.
Cummins is followed in the bowlers table by England’s James Anderson and Rabada, whose teammate Vernon Philander is fourth.
The highest ranked Indian Test bowler is Ravindra Jadeja while fellow spinner Ravichandran Ashwin lies 10th. Australia Test series hero, Jasprit Bumrah, is placed 16.