Dubai: Dubai fans welcomed Twenty20 cricket with zeal. It was a great sight to see the cricket fans who had deserted the Test and One-day versions of the series, line up in large numbers before the start for this quickest version of the game.
The enthusiasm of the fans for this format revealed that it is the ideal one for this country where job responsibilities takes predominance over entertainment and sports for the expatriates.
The stadium looked fabulous, glowing under the ‘Ring of Fire' lighting system. It produced a festival atmosphere with pretty cheer leaders dancing to the tune of loud music. England, bubbling with confidence following their 4-0 triumph over Pakistan in the One-day series, won the toss and elected to field.
Captaincies at stake
Many expected the inform Alastair Cook, who was the skipper of the One-day team to be in the eleven, but was not included. It raised the question whether Stuart Broad wasn't broad minded enough in his team selection.
In fact, during the pre-match press conference he was candidly asked whether he fears his position as a captain if Cook sparkles in the Twenty20 version too. Broad played down the question saying "I've got the Twenty20 job and I've been trusted in that position and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. Whoever comes into that side, you hope they do well."
It is not Broad alone who is keen to protect his job. Pakistan skipper Misbah UI Haq, who seemed to have misplaced his magic wand following the thrashing in the One-day series will have to win this series to remain as captain for the oncoming Twenty20 World Cup.
Already some former cricketers in Pakistan have called for replacing Haq as captain from instant cricket. A call for separate captains for each version of the game have also begun.
