The Qatar Cricket Association (QCA) has invited the Saudi Arabian national team to play three friendly matches in Doha, QCA president M.A. Shahid announced yesterday.
The two Twenty20 matches and one 50-over-a-side encounter will be played at the Asian Town Cricket Stadium in Industrial Area on consecutive days beginning January 21.
QCA president Shahid said that the Friendly Cup is a part of a plan to give a boost to the game in the GCC region. QCA General Secretary Manzoor Ahmad and QCA Domestic Cricket Head Gul Khan Jadoon were also present. Shahid said: “The ICC has given its consent to us to hold the event, which will help develop the game in both countries. In fact, the ICC wants all the countries in the GCC to redouble their efforts to promote the game.”
QCA General Secretary Manzoor Ahmed  said the Saudi Arabian team was scheduled to play the ICC League in Europe but the trip could not materialise due to visa problems.
“So we contacted the Saudi cricket authorities and they agreed to come to Qatar and play the matches.
We’re grateful to the Saudis for their support. Qatar have not played international cricket for some time and it would be a good opportunity for our players to showcase their talent.”
He also said the QCA has selected shortlisted 22 players who would play a selection match before the teams are picked for the Friendly Cup.
“We’ve planned a trial match on January 14. Out of those two teams, we’ll select the teams that will play against Saudi Arabia.”