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St Moritz Ice Cricket: Virender Sehwag Diamonds XI vs Shahid Afridi Royals XI [February 8-9, 2018]

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Former South Africa skipper Graeme Smith and Shahid Afridi have joined a plethora of former stars for the inaugural St. Moritz Ice Cricket in Switzerland from February 8 to February 9, 2018. While Afridi has been part of many league matches post his international retirement (recent stint in T-10 league in UAE), the two-day T20 event will be Smith’s maiden appearance since featuring in the Masters Champions League in February 2016. The other big names who are sure to attract limelight are: Virender Sehwag, Mohammed Kaif, Shoaib Akhtar, Mahela Jayawardene, Lasith Malinga, Jacques Kallis, Daniel Vettori, Nathan McCullum, Grant Elliot, Monty Panesar and Owais Shah. It has players from major cricketing nations, and will lead to more eyeballs.

Ahead of the two-day event, Smith stated, “I don’t know what to expect but I am really excited to play in a beautiful part of the world. I hope the event is a huge success. There are lot of brilliant cricketers involved. I have played against all these guys in international cricket. It will be nice to spend some quality time with them and put up a good show with the cricket,” added the former South African opener.
VJ Sports, the organisers, have claimed that the event has been given the green signal by International Cricket Council (ICC). Players will use the traditional cricketing gear including the red-ball but will don sports shoes instead of spikes.

The matches will be played on a matting pitch.


http://www.cricketcountry.com/news/...r-inaugural-ice-cricket-in-switzerland-673247
 
These guys are just enjoying themselves after retirement. Good for them =). I also want to see cricket be played on ice.
 
It's not being played on ice. The name refers to the cold weather in Switzerland, most likely.
 
Well the quality is definitely going to be poor with most of them out of shape but it might be fun to watch all the stars back in action again.

Loved Sachin vs Warne event. I don't think this will do much to spread cricket, so not sure about the location?
 
New Delhi, Dec 27 (PTI) West Indies' Dwayne Bravo and Pakistan's Abdul Razzaq are the latest cricketers to join a host of former stars for the inaugural St. Moritz Ice Cricket to be held in Switzerland from February 8-9.

The other big names confirmed for the event are Virender Sehwag, Mohammad Kaif, Shoaib Akhtar, Mahela Jayawardene, Lasith Malinga, Michael Hussey, Jacques Kallis, Daniel Vettori, Nathan McCullum, Grant Elliot, Monty Panesar, Shahid Afridi, Graeme Smith and Owais Shah.

The unique two-day event is set against the serene and breath-taking backdrop of the Swiss mountains which will host two matches in two days.

The lake freezes into an extremely thick layer of ice which then gets covered by the soft falling snow, enabling the lake to withstand more than 200 tons of weight, which makes it the perfect area to construct a pavilion village and grandstands to watch and support the festivities.

The cricketers have been divided into two teams -- Badrutt's Palace Diamonds and Royals.

Besides the two matches, the itinerary will also boast of a scenic tour of the Swiss local and a gala dinner where the fans will get a chance to rub shoulders with their favorite cricketers.

The event is a joint initiative of Vijay Singh, CEO, VJ Sports and Akhilesh Bahuguna, Director, All Spheres Pvt Ltd.

"We are delighted to have Dwayne Bravo and Abdul Razzaq as the newest additions to Team Royals. Both have a very good fan following and the crowd at the stadium and elsewhere will have a great time watching their favorite players battle it out in the snow," said Bahuguna.

"I am particularly happy about Bravo joining the ranks as he becomes the first from West Indies to do so. We are surely going to get enthralled with the Caribbean spirit."

Vijay Singh, CEO, VJ Sports added: "Everyone remembers the nail-biting matches when Virender Sehwag used to bat against the likes of Dwayne Bravo and Abdul Razzaq. We are all set to recreate history and are really excited to see all these legendary players once again take on the challenge and give their fans a lot to cheer about.

"The unique aspect is, of course, the 22 yards giving way to snow rather than the usual soiled one."

Players will use the traditional cricketing gear including the red-ball but will wear sports shoes instead of spikes. The matches will be played on a matting pitch.

http://www.ptinews.com/news/9355879_Bravo--Razzaq-new-joinees-in-St-Moritz-Ice-Cricket.html
 
Sehwag plays in every random thing.

Probably just for the kicks, don't think he is after the money like he Gayles or KPs of this world.
 
All these sort of random games are of no interest to anyone in the cricketing world. Anyways it will be good for the Asians living in Swiss who might want to have some glimpse of live cricket.
 
giri26 said:
All these sort of random games are of no interest to anyone in the cricketing world. Anyways it will be good for the Asians living in Swiss who might want to have some glimpse of live cricket.
Click to expand...

I think the players are doing it for themselves. There's not much to do after retirement if you don't want to be a coach, umpire or commentator
 
These exhibition games by former players is now getting cringeworthy. First, the All Star games in US, then Masters league in Dubai, and now this Ice Cricket. whats next beach cricket?

Sehwag would probably show up even for Gulli Mohalla cricket for spare change.
 
Cricfan4eva said:
Loved Sachin vs Warne event. I don't think this will do much to spread cricket, so not sure about the location?
Click to expand...
in all honesty that game also did jack all in terms of spreading the game

I will be conservative here and say that 95% of the crowd was desi (and of those majority who were born in subcontinent). Heck Americans within a few miles of the stadium didnt know about it going on
 
CanadianG00se said:
These exhibition games by former players is now getting cringeworthy. First, the All Star games in US, then Masters league in Dubai, and now this Ice Cricket. whats next beach cricket?

Sehwag would probably show up even for Gulli Mohalla cricket for spare change.
Click to expand...

think thats already happened

as for Sehwag - you can add Jayawardene, Grant Elliot etc into the list as well
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">- Bahut time se koi interesting challenge saamne nahi aaya. But this Feb 8th & 9th is going to be interesting. I am ready for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IceCricketChallenge?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IceCricketChallenge</a> in Switzerland where some of the top cricketers will play Cricket on Ice <a href="https://twitter.com/IceCricketCH?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IceCricketCH</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistan</a> <a href="https://t.co/ULaqnW4uEy">pic.twitter.com/ULaqnW4uEy</a></p>— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/960485891331493888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
I don’t understand the hate, they are retired and want to have some fun and earn money what’s wrong in that? Let them play and have fun if you don’t like it don’t watch it simple..
 
Nvm, just found the site. 40 CHF per seat. Very affordable. I just might go for the Friday match.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are now at the field , see how clean this looks this will be interesting <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StMoritz?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StMoritz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Switzerland?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Switzerland</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cricketonice?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cricketonice</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Shoaibakhtar?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Shoaibakhtar</a> <a href="https://t.co/EYCSgH4ZnT">pic.twitter.com/EYCSgH4ZnT</a></p>— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) <a href="https://twitter.com/shoaib100mph/status/961256984518553603?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
What the flip is this, they're literally trying everything.. it's actually comedic :D.
 
Well good for some retired and discarded players to have some fun. Nothing wrong in that.
 
This thread will pick up once Afridi comes to bat. :afridi Nice too see cricket being played on ice...
 
Turned this on to watch Lala school these has beens. But he is too cool for ice cricket.
 
Afridi doing a bit better in Ice Cricket than normal cricket. 0(2)
 
All Indian players dismissed by Pakistani player and only Pakistani player out was dismissed by an Indian.
Wah badiyaaa
 
Had to share this:

Shahid Afridi becomes the first player to get a duck in test cricket, ODI cricket, T20i, T20, T10 and Cricket on Ice. Truly a legend.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Surely this is cricket on snow and not ice. There is a big difference between snow and ice. Can't imagine a fast bowler running on ice or batsmen running on an icy pitch, that would be comedic.
 
Sirris said:
Surely this is cricket on snow and not ice. There is a big difference between snow and ice. Can't imagine a fast bowler running on ice or batsmen running on an icy pitch, that would be comedic.
Click to expand...

I just saw some footage. They are using a fake grass pitch, what a let down.
 
Ice cricket 2018: Virender Sehwag, Shahid Afridi find new battlefield

“In England, you can’t get out of the house if it’s -5 Degrees Celsius,” Owais Shah told Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi as they stood on a frozen lake in St Moritz, ready to play cricket in the Swiss ski resort on Thursday.

Standing on a matting wicket rolled over wood planks in the morning in minus 10 degrees chill, several former stars wondered what was in store as the two-match cricket series was ready to unfold in this picturesque Swiss village.

Sporting their respective colours but making sure they were protected from the cold, cricketers from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England, South Africa and Australia entertained a small but colourful and enthusiastic crowd.

St Moritz is a famous sports destination. It has held two Winter Olympics (1928, 1948). But organising something as complex as cricket, the Ice Cricket 2018 tournament also aims to draw attention of those who want to explore the interiors of Europe.

Much to the delight of many, the sun rose over the snow-capped mountain near the lake as the players took the field. Shoaib Akhtar didn’t charge in, but wicketkeeper Matt Prior had his task cut out.


TOUGH TO FIELD

Fielding was the toughest task; the ball didn’t bounce but it was slippery and dodged any fielder on its way to a blue-printed boundary line.

Spectators came in with their pets; many locals, used to skiers rather than cricketers, wanted to see what the fuss was about. But there were die-hard Asian fans too — travelling from nearby Zurich as well as Dubai for this tournament.

Altaf Syed has travelled all the way from Dubai to watch his favourite cricketers in action. He saw them train on Wednesday and was also spotted outside the team hotel in the evening.

“It’s difficult to play on ice, but we’ve trained a bit. We are here for the love of the game and I want to entertain the Swiss people,” said Virender Sehwag, captain of Palace Diamonds, ahead of the match.

“T20 is short and sharp,” he said, backing the slam-bang format to promote cricket in continental Europe.

Mahela Jayawardene said, “It’s a new experience for everybody. Cricket has been played here for last 15 years in similar conditions. For us to come here and show that cricket can be played on ice, (try and) be a bit more competitive… it’s slippery, but we have to be careful.”

Lasith Mainga said it was all about enjoying. “It’s cold, but we have to enjoy. T20 cricket is good, it requires all kinds of skills. Everyone has time to watch it.”

Sehwag said he wanted to play his ‘see-the-ball-hit-the-ball-game’, and did that in scoring a 31-ball 62. However, his team lost to the Shahid Afridi-led Royals by six wickets with Owais Shah hitting 74 not out.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...battlefield/story-N04xBhSPnHpG8N2TBkQwzH.html
 
BlueDoritos said:
Overall, the match was pretty boring.
Click to expand...

I watched 10 minutes and what a pathetic experience overall. Players well past their prime wearing big south pole jackets running like toddlers and picking up the ball on the snow. The one who came up with this idea should be given a nobel prize. Not.
 
Next up is cricket while surfing in Jaws, Maui. But I'm not sure many will want to see some of these ex-cricketers wearing nothing but swim trunks.
 
No "first of all thanks to Almighty Allah" in the post match ceremony by the Pakistani players. Afridi also promoted PSL. in the interview :afridi
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Action from day 2 of the ice cricket 2018 challenge in St Moritz, Switzerland <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/gSEAlQnTkF">pic.twitter.com/gSEAlQnTkF</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/962037579297169410?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
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