The Guinness Book of Records acknowledged the achievement of Sharjah cricket stadium for hosting the most number of one-day matches during the Pakistan and Sri Lanka encounter here on Sunday. Sharjah stadium, built in the early 1980s, was the hub of one-day cricket between 1984 to 2003 and had hosted 200 one-day internationals - a world record for a limited over matches venue.
The Pakistan-Sri Lanka match on Sunday is the 201st at the stadium.
Official of the Guinness Records Book Vin Sharma presented a certificate to United Arab Emirates (UAE) minister for higher education and scientific research Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan at the stadium.
Sheikh Nahyan said the achievement made UAE proud.
"This is an achievement for Sharjah stadium to get an entry into the world record book," said Sheikh Nahyan, also the chairman of Emirates Cricket Board. "This is something which we are proud of." Sheikh Nahyan said the Guinness Book entry will encourage UAE to host more and more sport.
"This will encourage us for more support to sports and cricket is gaining momentum and UAE is becoming a base for cricket," said Sheikh Nahyan.
The Gulf state hold major tennis, golf and Formula One Grand Prix every year besides being a neutral venue for Pakistan who are forced to move their home matches because of security fears since 2008.
Arch rivals Pakistan and India played at Sharjah regularly until New Delhi refused to give permission to their national team to play at the neutral venue in 2000.
Sharjah Cricket Council secretary Mazhar Khan hopes the recognition of the Guinness Book of Records will help Sharjah to stage more cricket. "It is a great achievement and we promise to provide the venue for more and more international cricket," said Khan.
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