The Sri Lankan papare band that kept the fans of both sides dancing and
singing throughout last week's first One-Day International (ODI) between
Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Dubai Sports City is back for the third match
of the series this Friday.George Hettiaratchy, a Sri Lanka supporter living in Dubai for the past
27 years, has helped coordinate the band's presence at the Dubai
International Cricket Stadium and he said they got a great reception at
last week's match."Though we Sri Lankans lost the match, we continued the music until the
end," he said. "More than half of the green zone (of seating) was
occupied by the Sri Lankan spectators. Needless to say the majority of
them came to the ground to enjoy the papare music."It was heartening to witness that Pakistani spectators also joined with
the Sri Lankans and danced to the papare music outside the stadium. It
was indeed a carnival atmosphere.The Dubai Sports City ticket office is open late on the eve of the
match, until 2100 on Thursday 17 November, to cope with the demand for
tickets, and will then reopen at 0800 on match-day.From 1200 on match-day, ticket sales will transfer to the venue box office next to the stadium.Mr Hettiaratchy said papare music, which features drums and trumpets,
would enhance what is already expected to be a great atmosphere for the
crunch third match, with the five-match series level at 1-1."Playing papare in the stands while all Sri Lankan spectators are waving
colourful lion flags and wearing national-coloured t-shirts will
certainly add glamour to the occasion," he said."I believe this type of music was introduced to Sri Lanka by the
Portuguese when they ruled the coastal areas of the island nation," he
said."Papare is very popular among spectators, especially during sports
events. We Sri Lankans, by nature, like to enjoy by listening to music
and dancing.Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan said the atmosphere created by
the fans at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, including the
papare band, was fantastic to play in front of.We're enjoying (the feeling) with the fans and the papare band," he
said. "We're used to that back home and we've played a lot in India with
huge crowds too."Sometimes the boys can find more energy if the fans are supporting
them. As a captain I'm really enjoying the two sets of fans shouting and
supporting their teams and the papare band. We're really enjoying it
out in the middle."Mr Maqbul Dudhia, General Manager - Sports Business at Dubai Sports
City, said: "We are delighted to have a papare band playing again at
Friday's match as it will add an extra dimension to what should be a
superb occasion with a great atmosphere We hope the music and colour will again ensure spectators will be
entertained by events off the field as much as they are by events on it"Offering this experience is all part of Dubai Sports City's commitment to create a fan-friendly environment and put fans first."We have done that through our extensive use of social media such as
Facebook, Twitter and Audioboo and we are also doing it through the
provision we have made for Jumma Prayers at 1220, very close to the
stadium, and there will be signs directing people to the area where they
will take place."After Friday's match, the series then moves to Sharjah (20 November) and
Abu Dhabi (23 November and a Twenty20 International (T20I) on 25
November).The three ODI matches between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Dubai
International Cricket Stadium are all part of 34 days of international
action as DSC hosts its biggest season of cricket since the venue opened
in 2009.Already the Dubai International Cricket Stadium has staged the second
Test of the three-match series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, with
Pakistan winning that encounter by nine wickets.And after this ODI series, England arrives in January 2012 to face
Pakistan in two Tests, two ODIs and two T20Is over a two-month period.In March 2012 the Dubai International Cricket Stadium will host matches in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier
