Abu Dhabi, UAE – As the UAE squad dey prepare for their tri-nations series against Pakistan and Afghanistan, dem get one reason to smile: dem don collect some sweet wins lately! Naija style, we fit call am ‘blessing in disguise’ o, as dem don chop victory against big names like New Zealand and even bagged a series win against Bangladesh last time for Sharjah. Na serious matter!
But no be say dem go just waka enter ground like say dem dey go wack gala for street. As dem dey come face Pakistan on Saturday evening, dem go remember say hin no get small sign for ground wey go remind dem their place for cricket peckin’ order. E get one big sign wey dey show ticket prices for each stand, and e no dey lie! Na half the price dem dey charge for their matches compared to the rivalry wey dey exist between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Wetin you expect? Na plenty people wey wan catch the opening game between Afghanistan and Pakistan on Friday as the rivalry don hot since dem dey waka side by side. Last time, na serious gbege happen as fans dey turn seats to weapons. No be small matter, as dem dey tell say ‘no shaking’ not with seating arrangement wey dey separate fan base. For that game, Afghan fans turn out like say dem dey come collect money from ground, while the Pakistani fans dey chill with plenty empty seats.
As the match start, na overflow be the name of the game. The Afghan fans dey cheer as their spin trio dey bowl like say dem dey comot fire! But when Pakistan take control, the excitement wan turn to wahala as dem score 182-7. Na there, the rosy picture for Afghanistan begin fizzle out, even though Rashid Khan try bring dem back to life with some late sixes! In the end, na wahala as dem lose by 39 runs.
After the match, Waseem, the UAE captain talk say dem no dey afraid of Pakistan even if dem dey start as favorites. E be like say dem don prepare well and dem go show am on their own day.
Agha, Pakistan captain, no dey carry last o! E talk say this series go warm dem up for the bigger Asia Cup wey go land for Dubai and Abu Dhabi next month. Na the right initiative dem dey push forward, so make we watch and see wetin go happen!
Also, sidon well as the Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease exhibition go open for Abu Dhabi starting October 15, wey go run till November 15. Free exhibition for all wey wan show face for The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island. This one don waka from prestigious locations like Atlanta and New York before e finally touch down for Naija like style.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor@nnn.ng
