Published: Oct 17, 2018, 05:46 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 17, 2018, 05:56 PM (IST)
The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday announced that the UAE men’s national team will face Australia in a one off Twenty20 International at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on October 22. According to a media release issued by the ECB, the entry for the match, which will begin at 14:00 local time, will be free.
Australia are currently involved in the second Test against Pakistan which concludes on October 20. Both teams will then be involved in a three-match T20I series which begins from October 24. UAE last played a Twenty20 International in April 2017 when they crushed Papua New Guinea in three games in a row.
“We are delighted to announce this fixture. We are extremely grateful to the ICC for their support in accrediting the Abu Dhabi Oval for T20 International cricket at such a short notice. Our thanks to Cricket Australia for approaching this opportunity so positively, and especially to the Pakistan Cricket Board for permitting this match during their home tour in the UAE with Australia,” Zayed Abbas, Emirates Cricket Board Spokesperson said.
According to ECB chief selectors Waleed Bukhatir, the match will be a good test for players to face higher-ranked teams. “This match will provide an exceptionally good test for our players. We need them to be put under pressure and focus more intently by being challenged by higher ranked, leading teams within our game,” he said.
Meanwhile, UAE lost to Hong Kong in the final of the Asia Cup Qualifiers by two wickets (Duckworth Lewis method) at Kuala Lumpur last month.
