Abu Dhabi to host Pakistan Test matches
Abu Dhabi has been tipped to become the world's newest Test Cricket venue, with Pakistan set to hold one of the two matches of its upcoming 'home' series against South Africa in the emirate.
According to Pakistan daily The News, the Pakistani cricket authorities have decided to make the United Arab Emirates (UAE) their second home after the refusal of foreign teams to visit the country dues to security concerns.
Pakistan has played all its 'home' One-day Internationals and Twenty20 games in Dubai or Abu Dhabi since March 2009, after the Sri Lankan cricket team came under terrorist attack in Lahore. The violence left six Pakistanis dead and left several visiting players and a coach injured.
Pakistan has not hosted any international matches since that attack.
According to the newspaper, sources said that the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to stage one of the two Tests against South Africa at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi in October.
The other Test could take place in the emirate of Sharjah, which has played host to four Tests in the past, all involving Pakistan.
The News reported a top Abu Dhabi cricket official as saying the Zayed Stadium is perfectly ready to host Test cricket.
Dilawar Mani, Chief Executive of the Abu Dhabi Cricket Club stated "it is very, very encouraging that we will soon be an international Test match venue.
"This wicket looks so flat to me we could probably play a 10-day game on it.
"It is absolutely ready for a Test match. I think our groundsman has done a great job," added Mani, who is also the Chief Executive of Emirates Cricket Board, the governing body for cricket in the UAE.
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