JEDDAH — Former Pakistan skipper and all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who is in the Kingdom to help Saudi Cricket Center (SCC) in its Talent Hunt Program, visited the Hala Academy cricket ground in Al-Aziziyah here recently to personally inspect and oversee the arrangements. He appreciated the new turf and the refurbished grass field of Hala Academy where trials will be held on Jan. 16 and 17. He was so impressed with the facilites and said: “This is a cricket oasis in the desert.” He further added: “Similar trials and camps must be organized periodically to identify new talent and improve the standard of players.” Afridi also expressed his happiness over the rising popularity of cricket in Saudi Arabia. He sees bright future for the Saudi national cricket team and appealed the sponsors and cricket enthusiasts to come forward to support this exciting game. — SG
