'Inspired by fitness level of legends'

Sharjah - Farhat, who played 40 Test matches for Pakistan, says the UAE is the perfect venue for an event of such stature.

Former Pakistan opening batsman Imran Farhat is impressed with the quality of cricket on display in the Masters Cricket League.
"It's more than a proper league because the legends of the game are playing here. It's really wonderful to have this chance to play with them. It's also a very well organised event. All the matches so far have been very good and you can't really feel that retired players are playing here. The quality of cricket has been very good. Also it's very good to see how the retired players have kept themselves fit. It's really inspiring," said Farhat whose team - Sagittarius Strikers - are currently occupying the second spot in the MCL standings.
Farhat, who played 40 Test matches for Pakistan, says the UAE is the perfect venue for an event of such stature. "There is a big South Asian community here. So it makes perfect sense to stage the tournament in the UAE. They have got great facilities here. Also people love coming to Dubai because it's such a great city."
Farhat's compatriot Yasir Arafat says the participation of several retired international players who are still active in domestic cricket has helped the MCL.
"In most of the teams there are still many players who are involved in domestic cricket. Only Brian Lara and few others left the game about six-seven years ago. But most of the other players only retired in recent years and they are still playing domestic cricket. So that's I think a reason behind the quality of cricket that we have seen here," Arafat said. The 33-year-old Pakistani all-rounder says Sagittarius Strikers are one of the team's to beat in the tournament. "We started very well. We beat Virgo Super Kings in the first match. It was a very tough match against a very good team.
"We almost won the second match as well against Capricorn Commanders. It was a match that could have gone either way.
"Abdul Razzaq bowled really well in the last over for them. But overall we played a very good game. Considering the quality in our team, I am confident that we can reach the final."
rituraj@khaleejtimes.com