New Abu Dhabi season to kick off on Friday

Just five weeks after the curtains were drawn on a hectic season, cricket in Abu Dhabi returns with the Al Aqili Ramadan Twenty20 event kickstarting the 2012-13 season. Abu Dhabi Cricket Council (ADCC) President Wajahat Hussain said 20 teams had confirmed their participation in the Twenty20 event to be played under lights from Friday. “We are excited with this early start to the season and in the Al Aqili event, a total of 47 games will be played leading up to the final scheduled for August 10,” he said. “Participating clubs have been given the freedom to rope in as many overseas players as they wish in a bid to add some glamour and excitement to the night cricket,” Hussain said.Mohammad Saeed Al Aqili, Vice-Chairman of the Al Aqili Group, said: “Being the month of Ramadan, we are delighted to keep the youth occupied with some sporting activity. The Rulers have made Abu Dhabi a great sporting capital and we feel it is our duty to chip in with our own contribution in this endeavour. “We are already involved in supporting golf in Dubai and this is our third year of being involved with cricket here in Abu Dhabi. We intend to stand by our support in future too,” Al Aqili said. Commenting on the new season, the ADCC President said with the addition of another grass ground this season the capital could see an extra tournament being squeezed in during the 2012-13 season. The teams have been divided into four groups of five teams each with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage. The winners will receive a trophy and Dh20,000 while the runners-up will receive Dh12,000. This is in addition to the individual awards. from gulfnews.com