Mali says IPL must come to Dubai

Dubai:

Ray Mali, president of the International Cricket Council, told NDTV in an exclusive interview that Dubai could become the focal point for international cricket.

The ICC members are touring the Dubai Sports City later on Tuesday to assess the stadium that is under construction.

Mali says that the venue definitely can host international cricket as it has sufficient capacity with seating for 25,000. Mali also says Dubai is the centre of world attention these days and matches in Dubai will help publicise the game.

Mali believes future editions of the Indian Premier League can be played here. He says the venue is also being considered for Champions Trophy and World Cup qualifiers. All of this will depend on when the Dubai Sports City stadium can be completed.

Mali also said the future of cricket is Twenty20. He said he enjoyed watching these matches and this format can be exported to the USA and China, where cricket is picking up.

He added if there were to be more franchises in the IPL, then Dubai should pick up one to gain prominence in the cricketing world.

Mali finds the development in Dubai phenomenal and believes that if they want to be a cricketing venue, they can well be, given the huge Asian expatriate population.