AlKass Digital
Doha, Qatar- The Qatar Cricket Association and the Ministry of Interior have teamed up to mount a memorable celebration of the Qatar National Day at the Asian Town Cricket Stadium on December 18.
The Association, with the support of the Qatar Olympic Committee, will host a Twenty20 cricket match between Asian stars and Qatar national team players, informed Mr Yousef Jeham al Kuwari, President of the QCA.
During a press conference on Monday, attended by MoI Public Relations Officer Lt Hamad Ali Jahweel al Marri, Mr Kuwari said, “The Qatar National Day is a very significant event for all of us in Qatar. We wish to contribute to its massive success like the previous years with a T20 match between Asian Stars(International) and Qatar stars.
“This match, of course, would have not been possible without the support of QOC President His Excellency Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad al Thani, QOC Secretary-General Jassim Rashid al Buenain and the Ministry of Interior. We extend our deepest gratitude to them for extending their backing and cooperation in organizing this match at the Asian Town Stadium,” he added.
Mr Kuwari stressed that cricket is one of the most popular sports in Qatar and played by a huge number of people from Asian sub-continent communities here. “We love and respect all those who are living here. So this is our social responsibility to host sporting activities to involve them.
“We’ve already launched a social media campaign to reach out to cricket fans. We’re delighted to say that about 50,000 likes and hits we’ve received from mostly members of communities of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.
“The feature of the Asian stars team is that we tried to include players from many countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. We hope that a large number of fans will turn up at the venue to support the match and make the Qatar National Day celebrations an event to cherish for a long time,” the QCA president said.
MoI PRO Lt Hamad Ali Jahweel al Marri said, “It is our big pleasure to join hands with the QCA for this big cricket match to celebrate the Qatar National Day. The ministry appreciates the efforts such as this one to involve various communities, cooperate with the QCA at every level and we wish the event a big success.”
Also present during the press conference were MoI Community Reach Our Coordinator Faisal al Hudawi, QCA Operations Manager Mr Manzoor Ahmad and QCA Domestic Cricket Head Gul Khan Jadoun.
Mr Manzoor Ahmad said the QCA has made elaborate arrangements to engage the crowd during the match with a variety of dance and music items. All the players have confirmed their participation and we’re anticipating a thrilling match on the big occasion of the Qatar National Day. Mr Gul Khan said that there is a separate seating arrangement for families and they can enter the stadium through Gate 7.”
Asian Stars Team:
Afghanistan: Asadullah Khan, Mohammad Yamin Ahmadzai
Sri Lanka: Ajantha Winslow Mendis Balapuwaduge, Aseela Sampath Gunarathne Dawnde Gedara
Pakistan: Umar Gul, Fawad Alam
Bangladesh: Mohammad Elias, Mohammad Ashraful
Nepal: Mahamad Hasim Ansari, Sanjam Regmi
India: Venkatesh Prasad
Qatar Team: Inam-Ul Haq (captain), Tamoor Sajjad (Vice-captain), Mohammad Rizlan, Faisal Khan, Malik Awais, Hafiz Tanveer, Hafiz Nadeem, M Noman, Imran Ashraf, Iqbal Chaudhary, Kamran Khan, Zaheeruddin, Gayan, Khurram Shahzad. Reserve Players Qalendar,Dharmang,Naveed.