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  By K.R. Nayar Oman will not only be hosting the T20 World Cup this October but will also be participating in it. This honour is the reward for the country's devotion to the game over the years. They've followed the path created by the late Kanak Khimji, a passionate lover of the game and the founding chairman of Oman cricket. They are now getting ready to create the best facilities and deliver a world-class event. Oman Cricket Academy ground   For years, Oman was just another country in the Gulf that played cricket at the international level. Very soon it will also be known as a nation that has hosted an ICC T20 World Cup. Efforts have commenced at a brisk pace to ensure that all facilities are in place before the start of the World Cup in October. Kanak Khimji, Founding chairman of Oman Cricket   Speaking to  krbuzz.blogspot.com   Madhu Jesrani, General Secretary of Oman cricket said: “It was a dream and beyond our dream to host a World Cup. We ar...

By K.R. Nayar Bangla Tigers appoints Stuart Law as their head coach. He has the unique achievement of most runs in Test cricket without ever getting dismissed and hence resulting in no Test average! Shaun Tait, one of the fastest bowlers in the world and nicknamed “The Wild Thing” due to his unconventional bowling action, is their bowling coach. Paul Nixon, the former England wicketkeeper who was famous for his banter behind the wickets and had his autobiography strangely named “Keeping Quiet”, has been appointed as their batting and fielding coach. Stuart Law Bangla Tigers are gearing up for the fifth edition of the Abu Dhabi T10 Cricket League to be held in November this year by appointing three international cricketers turned coaches. They carry with them interesting tales from their careers. Australia’s Stuart Law will be the head coach while his countryman and former fearsome pacer Shaun Tait is the bowling coach. Former England wicketkeeper-batsman Paul Nixon who was known for ...

By K.R. Nayar   Ukraine, which was once part of the Soviet Union, is the latest country to receive cricket equipment from Shyam Bhatia's Cricket for Care charity. Bhatia hopes that Ukraine too may go on to play international cricket like Japan whom he'd supported years ago. Kobus Oliver, who has coached many youngsters in Dubai, has taken charge as Chief Executive of the Ukraine Cricket Federation. Shyam Bhatia, who promotes cricket through his Cricket for Care Foundation UAE-based cricket enthusiast and businessman Shyam Bhatia takes pride in promoting cricket in countries where there is a keenness to play and the willingness to learn the game.  Through his Cricket for Care Foundation that he'd formed in 2007, he supplies cricket kits to various parts of the world. As soon as Bhatia learnt about the enthusiasm for cricket in Ukraine, which was once part of the Soviet Union, he decided to provide support. Bhatia is now delighted to see cricket spreading quickly i...

By K.R. Nayar Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani hails the efforts that went into ensuring the successful completion of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium after the event had to be halted in Pakistan due to the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Multan Sultan produced a stupendous comeback show to win the PSL title   Multan Sultans team celebrate their victory with the PSL trophy at the Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium UAE has once again ensured that a high-profile cricketing event is held successfully and completed in this country.  The sixth edition of the PSL had to stopped after 14 matches were held in Pakistan due to the spread of Covid-19 pandemic. Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium staged the remaining 20 matches and saw Multan Sultan emerge as the champions. At the end of the event, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Ehsan Mani said: “I want to express my gratitude towards the entire PCB staff, Abu Dhabi Sports C...

  By K.R. Nayar Over the years, Dr Shafi Ul Mulk has been relentlessly helping people in calamity or in need. This sports enthusiast has provided help to people not only suffering from Covid-19 but also those affected by floods. He has also been supplying free meals to the needy in UAE apart from mentoring youngsters to achieve their educational goals. The World Book of Records has honoured him for his efforts.   Dr Jitendra Matlani of World Book of Records (right) presenting the certificate to Dr Shafi Ul Mulk  UAE based Dr Shafi Ul Mulk, President of Mulk Health Care has been honoured for his dedicated and relentless commitment to promoting protection and safety against the Covid 19 pandemic. The prestigious World Book of Records of London recently presented him with a certificate of commitment. The World Book of Records awards this certificate to those who have served the society with honesty and sincerity in their efforts towards reducing human sufferings. Dr S...

By K.R. Nayar Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah set to become World Cup venues along with Oman’s Cricket Academy ground.  World Cup matches in the UAE will commence immediately after the Indian Premier League that is set to be held here from September 19 to October 15. Dubai International Stadium The 2021 Twenty20 World Cup is all set to be held in the UAE and Oman. A decision on the dates is understood to have been finalised. Stadiums in the UAE and Oman will be ready for the seventh edition of the Twenty20 World Cup from October 17 to November 14.   As soon as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had mentioned that UAE and Oman could be under consideration to host the Twenty20 World Cup, all three international stadiums in the UAE have been kept free for the event. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah will thus earn the honour of becoming World Cup venues, and UAE will thus become a neutral venue that has hosted the Asia Cup, Test matches, and an ICC World...

  By K.R. Nayar It is the game of cricket that has gifted Kane Williamson the indelible reputation of being the first captain to lift the World Test Championship winner’s Mace. It is an apt reward for his exemplary conduct as a gentleman cricketer and a sporting captain New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson lifts the winner's Mace. Photo credit: ICC  Many captains may go on to lift the World Test Championship winner’s Mace in the future but the game of cricket decided that the first captain to lift the Mace would be a player with exemplary qualities as a skipper and a cricketer. Test cricket is the ultimate format and the captain who guided his team to the top should be a cricketer who is not adored for his cricketing skills alone but for his attitude as a sportsman, a true gentleman both on and off the field. One of the unforgettable moments while reporting the 2019 ICC World Cup was Williamson's conduct during the post-match press conference after being declared runners-up...

  By K.R. Nayar Confessions of a person on why he enjoys being part of different social media chat groups and is also a popular member in most groups. His observation on the numerous arguments that take place in these groups over various issues was enlightening and he admitted that he is not particularly fond of groups that have no fights. I know of this person who is always willing to join any social media chat group. According to him, being part of different groups adds to his popularity. But his constant complaint is that his mobile storage capacity is almost full all the time. When I pointed out to him that this was bound to happen when one is a part of so many groups, he remarked, “Mobile phones should not restrict storage capacity; it actually curbs my freedom of posting whatever I like. The phone model that I can afford has only a limited storage capacity. It’s a shame that mobile phones are unable to adapt to the personality of the user.” “Do you know that I...

 By K.R. Nayar Milkha Singh, who passed away on Friday, was not just a legendary runner but a shrewd thinker too. Twenty years ago, I was fortunate to have a chat with him. He asked me to walk with him while we chatted. His observations and remarks on what any sportsperson must follow to be successful were so enlivening that those golden words remain etched in my memory even today. Milkha Singh  The name of legendary Milkha Singh, who passed away on the night of Friday, June 18, 2021, is often associated with the word ‘run’. It was his spectacular run in the 1960 Rome Olympics that got him the nickname 'Flying Sikh' and got India noticed in the world of athletics. I always feel proud when I mention that I have had the honour of spending nearly an hour walking with this legend at the Emirates Golf Club in 2001 during the Dubai Desert Classic Golf tournament. My column during this tournament called ‘Whole in One’  was about some of the great golfers and t...

By K.R. Nayar Zabeel Mammoths stopped Banke’s unbeaten 10-match winning streak to win the 16 th  edition of the Mammoth league tournament held under the auspices of the Dubai Cricket Council at the 7’s cricket ground. This tournament is being held regularly since 2015 and is organised by Dubai Mammoths Cricket Club. Zabeel Mammoths celebrate their stunning win  Snapping a team’s winning streak had always excited cricket fans. The history of Test cricket has many such instances that are considered special. During the period 1982-84, West Indies won 27 Test consecutive matches till Australia ended it in Sydney winning by an innings and 55 runs. Between 1968 and 1971, England won 26 matches before being stopped by the Indian team led by Ajit Wadekar at Oval through a four-wicket win. Australia had won 25 matches between 1946 and 51, and 22 matches between 2005 and 2008. England ended the 25 matches unbeaten streak at Melbourne and India ended their 22-match victory ...

By K.R. Nayar While Ronaldinho is known more as a soccer legend, he is equally fond of all other sports. This was revealed during the announcement of the ' Emirates sport in 50 years' exhibition as part of Expo 2020 in which, among other sports, there will be  the World Cricket Expo and the World Golf exhibitions as well A smile for all from soccer legend Ronaldinho. Photos by K.R. Nayar It’s always special when a legend in a particular sport expresses his appreciation for other sports too. The legendary soccer player Ronaldinho, who was invited to announce the ' Emirates sport in 50 years’ exhibition, while hailing the city of Dubai, said: “ This is an amazing city and it is such a rich sports hub. As someone who loves all sports, not just football, this place is amazing. I’ve heard that there is a lot happening here all the time.” Ronaldinho also mentioned that he would be happy to be a part of the country’s progress. “This is a very forward-looking country. I see a v...