FIVE HIGHLIGHTS AT DUBAI CRICKET STADIUM
World T20 Qualifier final, February 2010 Afghanistan beat Ireland by eight wickets
It says much about how the sport has changed over the past decade that many of the most vivid memories of this stadium have been created by Afghanistan.
Earlier on this day in 2010 day, Afghanistan had beaten UAE to qualify for their first global event, the World T20 in the Caribbean. It was met with a pitch invasion, and an outpouring of joy on the outfield. The final, which they won at a canter, brought with it one of the most evocative scenes at any ground ever – that of thousands of new cricket fans scaling the second-tier fences to share in the moment and glimpse their heroes.
Second Test, October 2015 Pakistan beat England by 178 runs
The margin of victory sounds like a thrashing. And, of course, it was emphatic. But England came oh so near to saving the game. Between them, England’s Nos 8, 9, 10, and 11 batsmen faced 322 balls on the final day. Nearly 54 overs, battling against the wiles of Yasir Shah, and the pace of Wahab Riaz. Then, with four balls left to secure a hard-earned draw, Adil Rashid, who was closing in on four hours at the crease, chipped Yasir to extra cover, and Pakistan had the win.
Asia Cup Super Four, September 2018 India tied with Afghanistan
India dominated the Asia Cup for all except one fixture – that against the most recent arrivals to cricket’s top table. Just eight years earlier, the Afghans had been feted for their rise to playing at a first ICC event on this same field. Now, they had a number of established stars. First, opener Mohammed Shahzad hit a blockbusting century, as the Afghans cobbled together 252. India could only match that total, thanks to some nerveless death bowling by Rashid Khan. It was the second tie Dubai had seen, and its first in ODIs.
Pakistan Super League, February 2016 Karachi beat Qalandars by seven wickets
There has been a mushrooming of T20 competitions all over the world since the turn of the decade, and Dubai has seen its fair share of events in that format.
The World T20 Qualifier has been staged there, as have the Masters Champions League, IPL, PSL, and the Desert T20. On its first weekend in Dubai, the PSL’s popularity was sealed when Mohammed Amir – only recently returned from his lengthy ban for spot-fixing – picked up a hat-trick for Karachi Kings, as they beat Lahore Qalandars.
Indian Premier League, April 2014 Hyderabad beat Daredevils by four runs
Stardust has been liberally sprinkled on the green of the Dubai International Stadium over the years – but never so much as when the IPL came to town. The competition was exiled from India while the security forces back at home dealt with the government elections. In this specific fixture, David Warner, Shikhar Dhawan, Aaron Finch, Kevin Pietersen, Quinton de Kock, Dale Steyn, and Murali Vijay all played a role. No wonder the stands were full.