Afridi to lead World XI against Qatar Stars

Cricket fans in Qatar will be treated to some explosive action when Pakistan star Shahid Afridi leads a World XI against Qatar Stars in a Twenty20 match at the Asian Town Stadium tomorrow.Billed as the “Qatar Cricket Fiesta” the match features several current and former international stars from various countries, including South Africa’s Herschelle Gibbs and Justin Kemp, England’s Graeme Onions and Paul Nixon, India’s Lakshmipathy Balaji and  Yousuf Pathan, Pakistan’s Umar Akmal, Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Razzaq and Sri Lanka’s Farveez Maharoof and Chaminda Vaas.“We expect a crowd of 10,000 and most of the tickets for the match have been sold out,” Saqlain Rizvi, managing partner of Pro Events, the organisers of the match, said yesterday. Sajjad Hussain Choudhry, CEO of Pro Events, who has played an active role in bringing the cricketers to Qatar, said his vision is to promote and popularise the game in the country. “These international stars, by sharing the dressing room and playing with them will guide the local players, who can gain experience and become better cricketers,” Choudhry said at the launch of the event last month.Meanwhile, the organisers have confirmed the sponsors of the match. Wyndham Hotel, Al Zaman Exchange and Mowasalat are among the main sponsors. The match is scheduled for a 5pm start at Asian Town Stadium.