The Twenty20 bash between Brian Lara’s World XI and Sanath Jayasuriya’s Asian XI attracted more than 10,000 spectators at the West End Park stadium yesterday. Pictures: Jayan Orma
Cricket and Qatar have never been synonymous with one another, with the game struggling to find its feet in the region. But after yesterday’s Twenty20 bash between World XI and Asian XI attracting more than 10,000 spectators at the West End Park stadium, it can be said that the game has a future in Qatar.
Yesterday the West End Park stadium came alive in the holiday season, in a match that was aptly labelled as ‘Eid Cricket Festival’. The organisers could not have chosen a better time and players in their aim to promote the game in the region.
They pitted cricket’s two finest left-handed batsmen -- Brian Lara and Sanath Jayasuriya -- against each other and the crowd was thrilled to see the two legendary run-getters right in front of their eyes.
The crowd, which mostly consisted of Asian expatriates, cheered for both the teams. It didn’t matter to them if the team was Asian or World XI. All that mattered was a good game of cricket.
In the end, World XI walked away as winners, beating Asian XI by five runs. After piling on 161 for 6 in 20 overs, the World XI restricted Asian XI to 156 for 7.
World XI captain Lara, having won the toss, took it upon himself to start the entertainment. One of the best batsmen to have graced the game, the Trinidadian, turned the clock back with some glorious strokes on the offside. It’s been more than seven years since he last played an international game, but the artist that he is, Lara exhibited glimpses of his inimitable footwork and cover drives.
He began with just a push for four off Abdul Razzaq, and also hit two sixes, off Razzaq and the other of off spinner Angelo Pererra. Even as Brendan Taylor and Herschelle Gibbs made a quick exit, Lara laid the foundation for a big score before perishing for 47, caught by Rashid Latif off part-time spinner Aakash Chopra.
However, England batsman Owais Shah kept the World XI momentum going, setting the stadium on fire with some exhilarating shots. Shah hit two sixes and as many fours in one over of Chopra. The right-hander was out in the last over caught by Chopra off Yasir Arafat. But his 22-ball 43 had done the damage.
In reply, Asian XIs were well on course with Tamim Iqbal and skipper Sanath Jayasuirya carrying the team past the 50-run mark in the sixth over. Jayasuriya, like Lara, looked like he has not lost his touch with batting.
The former Sri Lankan opener and current chairman of national selectors, played his trademark whip and square shots with ease. Jayasuriya hit four fours in his 23-ball 25 before seamer Sajid Mehmood induced an edge to wicketkeeper Brendan Taylor.
However, Bangladesh opener Iqbal continued in the same vein and hit one six and three fours. But once he was out, bowled by Ryan den Doeschate, the Asian XI batting crumbled.
Though Sri Lankan, Angelo Pererra (31, 24b) kept Asian XI in the game with some big hits, he could not hit a six off the last ball of the game to tie the game. If Pererra had managed that then the game would have gone for a Super Over. But it wasn’t to be even as the enthusiastic crowd kept asking for more.
Yesterday’s match certainly did show cricket’s popularity in Qatar. And if more such games are held in the future, cricket will find another destination in the Middle East.
Brief scores:
World XI 161 for 6 in 20 overs (Brian Lara 47 (44 balls), Owais Shah 43 (22b); Aakash Chopra 3 wkts, Yasir Arafat 2 wkts, Abdur Razzaq 1 wkt) bt Asian XI 156 for 8 in 20 overs (Tamim Iqbal 42 (31b), Sanath Jayasuriya 25 (23b), Angelo Pererra 31 (24b), Ryan ten Doeschate 3 wkts, Corey Collymore 2 wkts) by five runs.
Man of the match: Brian Lara
BELOW:
1) Sanath Jayasuriya (left) and Brian Lara pose during the exhibition match
