Dubai - The team of Emirates airline employees, which stunned the opposition to take victory at last year's inaugural Emirates Airline Twenty20, face a tough task defending their title.
With the likes of county champions Nottinghamshire, the international star-studded Durham and Sussex sides and the Sourav Ganguly-captained MCC in the mix, Fly Emirates XI certainly have their work cut out for them this weekend at The Sevens cricket ground.
But the team is up for the challenge and relishing the chance to take on the ‘big boys'.
"We are extremely excited with a couple of new county teams that are coming here this year. We're the defending champions so we need to live up to those expectations," said Fly Emirates XI wicketkeeper/manager Shoaib Muljiani.
"But more importantly the boys are very keen because this is a wonderful opportunity to rub shoulders with the professionals so we should do well," Muljiani added.
Bad season
The Fly Emirates XI haven't had the best of seasons so far, losing out to the Lord's Taverners at the same ground recently.
"But the boys are feeling good to go," Muljiani said.
"When you've held the title for the first year, you should be performing to that standard so there is a bit of pressure — and we aren't professional so that adds a bit more coming up against the big names," he added.
"But we're about three quarters of the way through our season so we have been practising regularly. On both the grounds at The Sevens the outfield is superb," Muljiani said.
"The wicket is coming up excellently. There's a good bounce on the wicket and good carry. It looks to be a good track and we should have some very exciting cricket," he added.
Matches begin at The Sevens at 10.30am on Friday. Also running alongside the Emirates Airline Twenty20 will be an Under-11s Kwik Cricket tournament.
Friends and families of the school children participating in this fun tournament are expected to come and cheer them on, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Source: http://gulfnews.com
With the likes of county champions Nottinghamshire, the international star-studded Durham and Sussex sides and the Sourav Ganguly-captained MCC in the mix, Fly Emirates XI certainly have their work cut out for them this weekend at The Sevens cricket ground.
But the team is up for the challenge and relishing the chance to take on the ‘big boys'.
"We are extremely excited with a couple of new county teams that are coming here this year. We're the defending champions so we need to live up to those expectations," said Fly Emirates XI wicketkeeper/manager Shoaib Muljiani.
"But more importantly the boys are very keen because this is a wonderful opportunity to rub shoulders with the professionals so we should do well," Muljiani added.
Bad season
The Fly Emirates XI haven't had the best of seasons so far, losing out to the Lord's Taverners at the same ground recently.
"But the boys are feeling good to go," Muljiani said.
"When you've held the title for the first year, you should be performing to that standard so there is a bit of pressure — and we aren't professional so that adds a bit more coming up against the big names," he added.
"But we're about three quarters of the way through our season so we have been practising regularly. On both the grounds at The Sevens the outfield is superb," Muljiani said.
"The wicket is coming up excellently. There's a good bounce on the wicket and good carry. It looks to be a good track and we should have some very exciting cricket," he added.
Matches begin at The Sevens at 10.30am on Friday. Also running alongside the Emirates Airline Twenty20 will be an Under-11s Kwik Cricket tournament.
Friends and families of the school children participating in this fun tournament are expected to come and cheer them on, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Source: http://gulfnews.com