Afridi to star in amateur side at Emirates Airline Twenty20

DUBAI, U.A.E.,16th February 2010: Shahid Afridi the talismanic all-rounder who inspired Pakistan’s World Twenty20 victory in London last year has signed up to play in the inaugural Emirates Airline Twenty20. In an amazing coup, Fly Emirates XI a team of amateurs who juggle cricket with busy jobs at the Emirates Group - have recruited the 29-year-old in a bid to claim a shock victory against the professional teams they will be facing in the two-day festival of cricket on 19th and 20th March. Afridi will be lining up alongside Emirates employees including four who are also members of the UAE team which reached the last four of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers - as they attempt to upset the odds against some of South Africa and England’s most talented Twenty20 players. He said: “It is going to be a tough challenge, but I am looking forward to it immensely. I always enjoy my time in Dubai and am very excited about playing in the first ever Emirates Airline Twenty20 tournament. “I know there is a real passion among cricket fans in the UAE and it will be great to play in front of them. It is a dream come true for Fly Emirates XI skipper Nigel Fernandes, who is delighted his team will get the opportunity to learn from one of the game’s most gifted players. “I can’t believe that Shahid Afridi will be playing for us, said the 32-year-old batsman from India, who works as an Airport Services Supervisor at the Emirates Group. “He is among the best players in the world at the moment and to have him alongside us will give us great confidence. Afridi will be the star attraction at the event, but the Cape Cobras the reigning Twenty20 champions of South Africa featuring experienced players and emerging stars will also have a strong following, while fans of the English County game won’t be disappointed. Sussex are England’s Twenty20 Cup holders and NatWest Pro40 champions and, with England players Monty Panesar, Ed Joyce and James Kirtley in their ranks, they should also prove popular with spectators, who will be able to take part in a number of fun activities planned by Arabian Cricket Challenge (ARCH), the event organisers. The four-team line-up is completed by Surrey Lions with England stars Mark Ramprakash, Steven Davies and Chris Tremlett expected to be competing at 7he Sevens, Emirates dedicated sporting facility, which is set to unveil a new cricket pavilion and pitches ahead of the tournament. Maurice Flanagan, Executive Vice Chairman, Emirates Airline & Group, is a keen follower of cricket and is delighted that the Fly Emirates XI will get the chance to play with Afridi. He said: “We are excited that he has agreed to play for us. It will be a wonderful experience for our players to learn from a world-class player. Emirates is committed to the growth of cricket - both in the UAE and around the world and it is a great pleasure to be able provide cricket fans here the chance to see one of the game’s most entertaining players in action. Tournament director and ARCH founder Matthew Jackson said: “It is great to have Afridi on board. He is a thrilling player to watch and plays in a style which sums up the festival spirit we aim to create. In addition to the Emirates Airline Twenty20, ARCH will be hosting the Emirates Airline Forty40, featuring Surrey and Sussex and two other English County clubs, in the week following the Twenty20 event. The development of grassroots cricket is a key objective of both ARCH and Emirates and they will also be running the Emirates Airline ARCH Trophy for schools, which will feature under-19 pupils from the UAE, New Zealand and the UK. For more details go to www.archtrophy.com