The Chief Operating Officer of Emirates Cricket Board, Subhan Ahmad, expressed his satisfaction in the crowd turn-up for the match in India versus Pakistan on Sunday.
TEST-PLANNING – India defeated Pakistan by six wickets in the Super Six match of 804 the Women T20 World Cup – the match played on June 30, 2008, however, set a record in terms of number of spectators for the group stage match of the World cup event on the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
But 16000 showed up in the afternoon which was a first for women’s cricket with regard to such attendance irrespective of the extreme weather.
In 2023, the Women’s T20 World Cup organized by ICC was supposed to take place in Bangladesh. However, the abundance of unrest in the political setting of Bangladesh, prompted the organization to shift the host to the UAE.
But, while the tournament began on Thursday in Sharjah, all attention turned to Sunday’s match between India and Pakistan at the Dubai stadium.
Dubai International Stadium reached its full 25,000-seat capacity, as supporters came in large numbers to witness the world’s best female cricketers compete. The enthusiastic crowd created an electric atmosphere, making the T20 World Cup group game a memorable event in Dubai and setting a new attendance record for women’s cricket in Dubai.
And the modern arena could not have been more celebratory at all the T20 international stadiums, its one hundredth to demonstrate its glory.
“During the weekend we had a very good spectator turn out at the Emirates Cricket Board, which leaves Subhan Ahmad, Chief Operating Officer, Emirates Cricket Board very pleased,” notes the press release.
“This is very positive for us more so because of the short period we had to do all the logistics and have this number,” Ahmed added.
“Oh, it’s wonderful to have nearly 20,000 people who were there for this match (16,000). It is very, very encouraging. It simply goes to show how much cricket is followed in the UAE and how teams are well supported there.”
“Thus, we are very, and I mean, very happy. And what has further encouraged us is that this was not the final of the tournament, this was just a group stage match and still people have come out in such numbers for it. So, it’s very encouraging and we are very happy.”
Ahmad, who was formerly in charge of the Pakistan Cricket Board, was optimistic that the World Cup would have more expatriates flocking to the stadiums in Dubai and Sharjah supporting their teams because of the new record set on that day.
Moreover, it has generated interest for the remaining period of the tournament as well. People will realize that competitive matches do exist, as well as that there is good cricket being played. This is going to call for more people to attend the stadiums. And this is what exactly we are targeting,” he said.
“Therefore the appeal is to please turn up and cheer your different teams and also to support the game of cricket as the biggest type of cricket is played in full grounds which creates atmosphere and the UAE has always been very generous and very supportive.”
“This is a country that has the history of organizing one of the best cricket tournaments in the world, and so we expect more and more people will come out and support the teams and cricket in general.”
Such opportunity should be grasped from the hands because it’s priceless!