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CRICKET fans will have the opportunity to meet the first paceman to ever cross the 100mph mark when he visits the kingdom this weekend.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, nicknamed the ‘Rawalpindi Express’ and widely regarded as the fastest bowler of all time, will be in Bahrain to attend the final of a day-long cricket tournament in Busaiteen and preside over the presentation ceremony.
Bahrain will be the second stop of Akhtar’s tour of Gulf countries beginning with Qatar and ending in the UAE. The legendary player told GulfWeekly: “I have had a wonderful time with the Sprite Cricket Stars campaign in the UAE and Qatar and I am looking forward to meeting my fans in Bahrain. These are the people who have made me a star and now I would love to watch them play the game – it’s their turn to become a star!”
The soft drinks company organising the event said in a statement that it was making its first foray into the kingdom’s sports scene, in partnership with the Bahrain Cricket League (BCL), to give cricket lovers a chance to ‘celebrate their passion for the game and realise their true potential on the field’.
“Keeping true to the inclusive nature of Sprite Cricket Stars, the 2015 tournament will aim to break down barriers and bring all cricket-crazy nations such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and others with over 10 camp teams and 18 open teams,” the statement added.
“The legendary Rawalpindi Express and Sprite Cricket Stars ambassador, Shoaib Akhtar, will visit Bahrain to be part of the tournament on Friday.”
The winning Sprite Cricket Stars team will receive $1,500 (BD566) in prize money, with the runners-up taking away $1,000 (BD378).
Mohamed Akeel, Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Bahrain’s managing director - Bahrain & Qatar and a cricket enthusiast, added: “Cricket is a common factor that creates passion, excitement and motivates and relaxes hard-working South Asian expatriates all over the Middle East, besides others as well. It offers an incentive and a thrill in their lives and a sense of ‘coming together’ for events like this in friendly competition and rivalry.
“The company, in line with its sustainability strategy of encouraging ‘active living’, is proud to offer this significant segment of Bahrain’s society and replicate this highly successful event in the kingdom so as to bring this vast community together in the spirit of camaraderie!”
Cricket-lovers and spectators can join the celebrations at Busateen Cricket Grounds on Friday and catch a glimpse of Akhtar as well.
Akhtar, who made his Test debut for Pakistan in November 1997 as an opening bowler and played his first One Day International four months later, is expected to visit supermarkets, groceries and restaurants on Saturday before leaving for Abu Dhabi in the evening.
The 40-year-old, who is now a regular TV cricket commentator, was reportedly involved in several controversies during his career, often accused of not being a ‘team player’, but was also commended for significantly impacting games in Pakistan’s favour.
He is known as one of only three bowlers to have ever broken the 100mph barrier in cricket history, with a delivery of 100.2 mph, during the 2003 World Cup against England, and this delivery stands as the fastest recorded to date.
In September 2011, Akhtar released his autobiography, Controversially Yours.
Akhtar’s career was also plagued with injuries and controversies. After rising to international stardom at a young age due to his speed, interesting personality and charisma, celebrity status followed, some say to the detriment of his sporting focus. Although he eventually crossed the 100mph barrier, his off-the-field trials and tribulations reportedly took their toll on his reputation as well as his fitness.
Meanwhile, Sprite Cricket Stars, in partnership with BCL, continues until next April. Consumers are urged to look under a Sprite bottle cap or can tab to win and array of instant prizes.
Others who like a bit of a challenge can also collect ‘Runs’ to pick up TVs (for 2,500 runs) or mobile phones (for 1,000 runs). For details on how to claim the prizes call the toll-free number 80001005.
* For more details on this year’s Sprite Cricket Stars programme, visit www.spritecricketstars.com and like the Facebook page www.facebook.com/spritecricketstars
