Another twenty in Qatar

Continuing their policy of reaching out to Arabian youth, the Qatar Cricket Association have been to Ali Bin Abi Taleb School in Doha and met with schoolchildren and teachers there. School principal Fahad Al-Muslamani promised the QCA the school's “full co-operation to promote cricket and help the boys give serious attention to the coaching classes” to be carried out soon.

Coaching classes have been held on the school premises twice a week for a month, with 30 boys involved. The 20 most promising cricketers selected will now be given further instruction by a batch of the 20-ACC qualified coaches active in the country.

The Ali Bin Abi Taleb team will take part in an inter-school tournament early in 2013. The QCA have recently completed a 12-team U-19 Schools Cricket Tournament. QCA General Secretary Manzoor Ahmad said: “We’re very happy with so many schools figuring in this competition. This tournament aims at promoting the game in Qatar and cementing the foundation of cricket at the grass-root level.” Asian Cricket Council