Football-Format In Cricket! Sharjah Gears Up For High-Octane Action With New Seating Protocols For Fans News24 –
While the world of cricket is preparing for yet another captivating T20I battle, the limelight now turns to the legendary Sharjah Cricket Stadium that will soon host the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Taking place between August 29 and September 7, this tournament promises blazing clashes, particularly between Pakistan and Afghanistan, whose previous meetings have frequently gone over the boundary ropes.
But in an attempt to avoid the type of crowd violence seen during earlier high-voltage encounters between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Sharjah cricket authorities have made a big move – fans will be segregated according to nationality, with special seating areas for each nation’s fans.
Seating Plan Introduced to Curb Fan Clashes
The authorities at Sharjah Stadium, with cooperation from security officials and organizers of events, will have a seating plan in place segregating fans of various nationalities, as per a report by Geo News. This follows incidents of crowd indiscipline for the umpteenth time during past matches between Afghanistan and Pakistan – contests that usually become violent in the stands because of the hot-headed, and occasionally explosive, fan following.
The new plan is aimed at avoiding physical altercations and ensuring the safety of spectators. This measure is especially critical given that Pakistan and Afghanistan are slated to face each other at least twice in the series, with a potential third meeting in the final on September 7.
The choice is also driven by the fact that UAE boasts a huge expatriate population both from Pakistan and Afghanistan, guaranteeing huge turnouts for the matches. With a seating capacity of 16,000, organizers anticipate a sold-out crowd during the series, with demand for tickets set to increase as the tournament approaches.
Security Measures Tightened
The authorities have confirmed that stricter security measures will be adhered to during the tournament. The fans will only be seated with fellow nationals, and no mingling between opposing fan clubs will be tolerated in the stands. This is a strong shift from earlier matches, where seating control has resulted in regrettable incidents.
Security personnel will be strategically located throughout the venue to handle the crowd, ensure the seating arrangement, and address any unfavorable incident promptly. The objective is to keep cricket in focus and let the fans enjoy the game within a secure and lively setting.
Tournament Format and Schedule
Initially designed as a bilateral series between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the competition was subsequently increased to involve hosts UAE, providing further flavour and equilibrium to the contest. Tri-Nation series shall be in a league structure, with each side playing the others once. The first two sides will meet in the final on September 7.
The inaugural game will be an intense one, with Pakistan clashing against Afghanistan on August 29. With the history and competitiveness between the two nations, this match is being sold as the group stage’s must-see game.
Head to Head
Although Pakistan enjoys a marginal advantage over Afghanistan in T20Is, the matches have always been competitive. In the seven T20I matches exchanged between these two countries up to now, Pakistan has won four, with Afghanistan taking home three victories. The closely contested nature of this rivalry makes the impending showdowns even more interesting.
With both sides seeking to strengthen their teams before the Asia Cup 2025, which commences just two days from when this series is completed, this tri-series will provide a crucial ground for preparation, especially for fringe players as well as match-winning prospects.
Final Thoughts
The Tri-Nation T20I Sharjah series holds out the promise of not only top-class cricket but also a test of crowd control and sportsmanship. Although the seating segregation policy might look strange to some, it is an indication of proactive initiative on the part of the organizers to ensure safety and fan experience.
As cricket grows to bring together varied communities under one stadium umbrella, such considerate steps can help preserve the game’s spirit and allow the action to stay where it should on the field.
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