UAE is ideal for Cricket World Cup
Shastri explains why this venue will be ideal for the top event
The victorious Indian team coach Ravi Shastri feels UAE is an ideal venue to host the ICC Cricket World Cup. After guiding India to a victory in the final of the Asia Cup, in front of a packed stadium of over 25,000 fans, at the Dubai International Stadium, he lauded the enthusiasm for cricket in the region. “I have been coming here from 1980s that is almost 40 years now. The passion for the game here is unbelievable. It is expatriates Indians, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans and Bangladeshis who were all there to back their team in the Asia Cup. Right from the Sharjah Stadium (Cricketers Benefit Fund Series) days I have seen full houses here. It is amazing to see now with the stadium as big as this (Dubai International Stadium) is packed to the full. People come after an hour because of the heat but it was jampacked last night and for all IndiaPakistan games. Somehow, you get exciting games here. I have seen that right through the 80s and whenever cricket is played you get some real exciting games and last night was no different,” said Shastri, who has seen the rapid progress of UAE.
“I have been a resident for this part of the world for many years and so I have seen the way UAE has evolved as a whole. I feel this to be the sporting hub of South East Asia and the Middle East because every big sporting event happens here.”