Pakistan's Azhar scores three centuries in first Pink Ball test match

What a great day it was for Pakistan when its opener Azhar scored three centuries in the first ever pink-ball played test match at Dubai just now.

Pakistan playing its 400th test match, which is yet another milestone achievement in the cricket of Pakistan, Pakistan also becomes the first country to score a triple century.

Although no sooner did Azhar shot a four at 298 to earn his third century, the captain Misbah declared the innings at 579 for three to let the West Indians to show their muscles with the pink ball.

So well done Azhar  - you really earned laurels from across the globe for hitting tons with the pink ball. Azhar also becomes the fourth Pakistani player to have scored a triple century in a test match. Before him Hanif Muhammad, Inzamam ul Haq and Younis Kjan have held this distinction. 

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Dubai unveils plan for world’s largest underwater hotel

Travelers all over the world are always looking for places that are unique, different, eye catching and soothing. And they move from one place to the other in search of such places, whether natural or man made.

Likewise, architects, engineers and investors on the other hand are always innovating to attract tourists and travelers to their countries.

Despite having no oil  the rulers of Dubai have made Dubai so much attractive with its tallest tower of the world, Burj Khalifa, the biggest shopping centre with an amazing music fountain of Dubai Mall and the Palm Beach city developed entirely on sea.

Now Dubai has unveiled plans for the world's largest under water hotel - to be known as The Water Discus Hotel, brainchild of Polish company Deep Ocean Technology, assisted by Swiss firm BIG InvestConsult AG.

Designers claim the entire hotel is transferable and that pods are buoyant.

The bizarrely shaped building, looking more akin to something you would travel to space in rather than go for a luxury break, comprises two large disc-shaped sections, connected by a long narrow shaft containing stairs and a lift.

The hotel will feature 21 suites, an underwater bar and diving centre.

via Mail Online

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Floating Cities of the Future

Awhile ago, I shared a post about the Palm Beach City, Dubai - built over the sea. Those who have visited Dubai and have seen the Palm Beach city would realize the limits of human imagination which can even build cities over the sea or take roads under it.

While writing t post, I promised to talk of the cities literally floating in the sea, just like ships and boats do. The idea may look weird and non-doable, but may be someday it becomes a reality - the same way the 12 second flight of the Wright Brother's flying machine has since been realized into the gigantic aircraft of today.

Individual units floating independently

Building huge cities straight away may not be possible, but doing it bit by bit and then joining different segments into one huge segment may not be a far fetched idea. And one day may be we find floating cities in the seas - though they the only problem would be of their susceptibility to tsunamis and sea storm. 

Independent segments uniting to form one big floating platform or city

Watch the video below of a mega floating city projected idea - may be our children or we in our old ages have a glimpse of such cities:

The dye for the future floating cities has been cast - it is the time frame which remains to be decided, besides colossal funding for the floating cities of the future.

Video Courtesy: DiscoveryNetworks 

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Would Dubai one day be eaten up by sands? An artist's eerie projection of future

Imagination has no bounds. But when ground realities are combined with the natural encounters, one may be able to forecast a grim and terrible future. 

Those who have been to Dubai or those who are living there, may not comprehend an artist's idea of how Dubai one day may become, when all living being leave it and let it demise with blowing sands and roaming animals.

Rhino roaming amid abandoned buildings surrounded by sands and desolateness [Photo: Daily Mail / Richard Allenby-Pratt]

The award-winning British photographer and artist Richard Allenby-Pratt have created post-apocalyptic nightmare scenario realized in eerie images for Dubai - which is hair raising. The concept is based on the fact that the global downturn and mounting debts may threaten Dubai's future. 

And it may not be hard to imagine this sun-seared metropolis being swallowed back up by the surrounding sands as a financial meltdown prompts its wealthy sponsors to leave, followed by the 2million mainly foreign workers depending on them.

Read mores / see more photos of this projected awful 'reality': Daily Mail

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Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship Final: Murray vs Federer

Speculators were talking of upset in Friday's semis - and it really did come. While many thought that Murray with injured knee may not be able to give tough time to the defending champion and the World Number 1 Djokovic, they got a shock of their lives - Djokovic lost the semi in straight sets 6-2, 7-5 in the semi final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship 2012 played in Dubai Friday. Today's defeat thus ends Djokovic's 10-match winning streak, the latest being the Australian Open title.

It may be interesting to note that Murray earlier on lost seven of the last 11 matches against Djokovic. This win of today definitely raises Murray's morale and a boosting power to enter the court on the final day of the championship.

In the other second semi final, Federer overpowered Potro, as was expected and no one talked of an upset here. Although unexpectedly Potro gave a very rough time to Federer before losing to him 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6). Del Potro lost four set-points in the second-set tiebreaker at 6-2, with Federer winning the last six points. Federer moves into the final without dropping a single serve this week.

Now it is Murray vs Federer in the final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship that gets played on Sunday. The going has gone tougher and would provide the fans on both side a nerve breaking final day as it would be Murray's utmost to dismantle Federer, who has already won the Dubai Tennis four times before.

While many would be forecasting the outcome, but for me it will be an interesting match. One enjoys outcomes of upsets as it happened on Friday. So let us sit down and watch the final on Saturday that is scheduled to start at 15:00 GMT at Dubai. Those who are already in Dubai would love the match live, but for the rest of us, big TV screens will allow us to enjoy the match between world number 2 Federer and world number 4 Murray.

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Federer vs Potro: Dubai Tennis Semi Final 2 March [ Free Live Streaming Links ]

By the time the second semi final this Friday begins between Federer and Potro, the first semi would be preferably over and decided who marches into the final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship 2012. Many are speculating for Djokovic to rein in Murray, who may have tough time playing the defending champion due to his ailing knee.

However, the outcome of the second semi final between Federer and Potro would make it more interesting for the final. 

Semis: Federer vs Potro

In yesterday's quarterfinals, Roger Federer beat Russia’s Mikhail Youzhny, 6-3, 6-4, while Del Potro dismantled his French counterpart Tsonga 7-6, 6-2.

Federer has had a good start this year as he won his first title of the year in Rotterdam and it will be tough day today to play a duel with the Argentinian Juan Martin Del Potro. Although, Potro is suffering from a wrist injury, he was able to oust Tsonga almost with good cursing, except for the first set which he won 7-6. He is likely to give Federer a tough time and may even overpower him, if luck favours him.

In the last six months, Federer has met Del Potro three times and won on all three occasions as well as winning all 7 sets they have competed against one another. Federer and Potro played up to today 11 Games. Last time Federer and Potro played a Match within the ATP Tournament was the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament played on Indoor Hard Court on 19th February last month. 

Well then, who marches from this semi to the final will show up later today, when the man between the two commences 1500 GMT.

The links for the free live streaming for the Federer vs Potro semifinal are given below:

Link#1   Link#2   Link#3

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Pakistan vs England - 2nd T20: Free Live Streaming from Dubai 25 Feb 2012

After a tit for tat whitewash ODI series win by England, the defeat in the first T20 match Thursday was a great shocker for the Englishmen. While they contended that limited overs matches were different from the test series and that ODIs were the platform to display their strengths, the same analogy could not apply to the T20 which was even more limited than ODIs when they lost to Pakistan.

But that was the first match, say the England squad members and have their sights set for the second 20 tomorrow at Dubai. However they have to find an answer to the superior Pakistan bowling. And there is not or two but quite a number of them to tackle. Umer Gul was in his best form in the frst T20 when he dismissed 3 for 18. Although five runs short of Swan who bagged 3 for 13, but Umer Gul's 3 wickets really flabbergasted the English middle order batsmen and they just crumbled one after the other.

On the other hand, Afridi, Ajmal, Hafeez really teased the Englishmen. After 15th over it seemed that England has virtually thrown over the match. 

But after the defeat, the English camp is really determined for a 2-1 win over Pakistan and the onus lies on their bowlers to not to allow the rather weak batting line to score more Saturday tomorrow in the second T20. But that is just a resolve and determination. What actually happens on ground is altogether a different ballgame. 

The win has given Pakistan confidence that was lost after the ODI series and they would certainly want to cash on it in the second match to win the series so that the taste of 3-0 test series win doesn't get spoiled.

The venue and time remain the same: Dubai International Stadium at 1600 GMT

Pakistan Squad against England in 2nd T20 is as under:

Misbah-ul-Haq (c),Abdur Rehman,Adnan Akmal (wk),Aizaz Cheema,Asad Shafiq,Awais Zia,Hammad Azam,Imran Farhat,Junaid Khan,Mohammad Hafeez,Saeed Ajmal,Shahid Afridi,Shoaib Malik,Umar Akmal,Umar Gul,Wahab Riaz

As for England, following is likely to be the squad against Pakistan:

Stuart Broad (c),James Anderson,Jonny Bairstow,Ravi Bopara,Tim Bresnan,Danny Briggs,Jos Buttler (wk),Jade Dernbach,Steven Finn,Alex Hales,Craig Kieswetter ,Eoin Morgan,Samit Patel,Kevin Pietersen,Graeme Swann

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England vs Pakistan: T20 Series - First Match 23 Feb Free Live Streaming

And finally it was England's turn to whitewash the ODI series against Pakistan. In Tuesday's match Pakistan seemed to be in good shape till the fifth wicket but then it was disaster all the way. Choosing to bat, Pakistan could make 237 - but it also proved to be much for the England this time as the match ended in England's favour with only four balls remaining. 

Well played England all along in the ODI series and congratulations for the first ODI whitewash.

As for Pakistan, the batsmen failed again and could not capitalize on the initial good score. Asad and Umar Akmal added beautiful 58 and 65 and later Misbah who added 46 to the score. But thereafter nothing happened. Afridi was back home with only 9 and could not Boom Boom despite many placards insisting him to. Dernbach was the most successful bowler taking four wickets for 45. Finn and Briggs took two each. 

On the other hand, it was Pietersen's day again who stroked beautifully and made his consecutive centurey like Cook in the first two ODIs and made remarkable 130. But that was lla as no other English batsman was able to add anything recordable except Kieswetter who added valuable 43. 

In a way England was not up to its mark today and could barely reach the target with just four balls remaining. Saeed Ajmal did make stay uneasy for the Englishmen who took 3 for 62.

Well then, it is all over with 4:0 whitewash win for England - the revenge for Test Series whitewash adequately and befittingly taken.

Now it is T20s coming from Thursday, 23 February. England is well tuned and primed now for limited overs matches and one can foresee difficult days for Pakistan ahead. Unless Pakistan batsmen play responsibly, Pakistan would be in danger in the T20s too. 

The opposing teams are composed as under:


England: SCJ Broad*, JM Anderson, JM Bairstow, RS Bopara, TT Bresnan, DR Briggs, JC Buttler†, AN Cook, JW Dernbach, ST Finn, AD Hales, C Kieswetter†, EJG Morgan, SR Patel, KP Pietersen, GP Swann

Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq*, Abdur Rehman, Adnan Akmal†, Aizaz Cheema, Asad Shafiq, Awais Zia, Hammad Azam, Imran Farhat, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz

The first match is being played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on 23 February at 16:00 GMT. 

The live streaming links for the match are given below:

Link#1  Link#2  Link#3. Link#4  Link#5

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Third ODI Pakistan vs England: Would Pakistan Strike Back?: Watch Live Online 18 Feb 2012

Would England strike again or Pakistan would rebound? This is the question every cricket fan is asking both in Pakistan and England today.

The euphoria of the 3:0 test win over England and much trumpeted whitewash notion seems to have now turned into a nightmare for Pakistan who have by now lost both ODI of a 4-ODI series at the hands of rebounding England. Although the winning margin of England is reduced from 130 (first ODI) to 20 runs (2nd ODI), the Cook-Finn combination has maintained their winning pressure on Pakistan in both ODIs and have been the winning combination.

The Danger Men from England: Cook - Finn - Bopara

While Cook struck massively and scored impressive 102 runs, this being his consecutive 2nd hundred - Bopara added supportive 58 in the 2nd ODI at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on 15 February 2012. Pakistan's spinner this time failed to contain the Brits and no meaningful bowling results could be attributed to Pakistan spinners.

On the other hand Finn again struck the Pakistani squad and dismantled four for 34. Misbah was the only Pakistani batsman who neared 50 and was back to pavilion for 47. Much to the annoyance of the fans, Shahid afridi could not BOOM BOMM and was packed up at 18.

The likely 'Difference Makers': Afridi - Misbah - Ajmal

Now that Pakistan meets England again on Saturday 18 Feb 2012 at Dubai, Pakistan needs to address its weak fielding and batting. The top order batsmen need to be in control right from the start and bowlers, who seems to have run out of their steam need to invigorate it to strike back the Englishmen. While England seems to be well poised fr a third victory over Pakistan with the present arrangements, Bopara cautions for a hitting back by Pakistan - but would Pakistan? That is a million dollar question. 

In the third ODI on 18 february at Dubai, much of the onus lies on Misbah and Younus and to an extent on Shahid Afridi, if he strikes well. Saeed Ajmal and A Rehman would have strike back as they did in the first ODI and in the test matches.


It is also to be seen whether the change of pitch from Abu Dhabi to Dubai makes any meaningful difference to Pakistan or not.

The likely opposing squads are:

England:
AN Cook, C Kieswetter, IJL Trott, KP Pietersen, EJG Morgan, RS Bopara, SR Patel, SCJ Broad, GP Swann, TT Bresnan, ST Finn,  

Pakistan:
M Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Younus Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afrid, Abdur rehman, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz or Aizaz Cheema, Saeed Ajmal

The match commences 11:00 GMT at Dubai stadium.

The links for the free live streaming are given as herein under:

Link#1  Link#2  Link#3 

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From cities in the sea to floating cities in the sea

With the exploding population, we one day may run out of space on earth for more cities to live. Instead of caving into the mountains, the engineers and architects are professing the idea of extending cities in to the sea or even creating floating cities inside the sea, completely independent of the land.

The Palm Beach Jumeirah, an extension of Dubai into the sea is one such venture that is going on with full fanfare and speed - a marvel of modern day engineering and technology. 

as per Wikipedia, The Palm Islands are an artificial archipelago in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on which major commercial and residential infrastructures will be constructed. To build the infrastructure of the city over sea, Belgian and Dutch dredging and marine contractor Jan De Nul and Van Oord, some of the world's specialists in land reclamation, have been hired. The islands are the Palm Jumeirah, the Palm Jebel Ali and the Palm Deira.

The road of Palm Beach Jumeirah leading to Hotel Atlantis (above right) through the undersea tunnel (below left)

When I visited Dubai awhile ago, a friend took me to Hotel Atlantis, which part of the Palm Beach Jumeirah and is built over the sea with its foundations resting deep into the seabed. The road leading to the hotel also passes under the sea and it really feels awesome when driving through the under sea tunnel. On takes a sigh of relief when one surfaces on earth after exiting the tunnel. 

The Palm Jumeirah consists of a tree trunk, a crown with 16 fronds, and a surrounding crescent island that forms an 11 kilometer-long breakwater. The island itself is 5 kilometers by 5 kilometers. It will add 78 kilometers to the Dubai coastline. The first phase of development on the Palm Jumeirah has created 4,000 residences with a combination of villas and apartments. On this beach is Hotel Atlantis. On bot sides of the hotel is sea, needless to say the hotel itself is inside the sea.

The road leading to Hotel Atlantis has sea on its both sides - Hotel Atlantis is pictured below

Watch the video of the development stage of Palm Beach Jumeirah and see how much effort has gone in to develop the city in the sea:

In this post today, I have only talked of a city inside the city. But how would you like to live on a city floating in the sea? Though the idea is still in the planning stage, but nothing is impossible if man has determination, will, money and the technology to realize one's dream.

I will write about the floating cities in days to come. But in the meantime, if you ever happen to be in Dubai, do visit the Palm Islands and see how man has built city in the sea - no doubt one of the modern wonders of the world.

Reference: Palm Islands (Wikipedia)

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Cricket: World Number 1 humiliated at Dubai

The 3-0 win the three test matches series by Pakistan humiliates world number 1 England with the final win by 71 runs by Pakistan in Dubai today. 

Pakistan having won the first two test matches had to face a stunning blow by the English spinners on the first day of the 3rd test match at Dubai when Pakistan was dismantled for mere 99 runs. Many thought that England had avenged Pakistani spinners by striking back. Many also thought that the 3rd test match may not see the fourth day and Pakistan might be subdued.

[ Jubilant Pakistani bowlers and losing English batsmenPhotos: Cricinfo]

But when England came to bat, they were thoroughly roughed by Pakistani bowlers and were all back in pavilion for 141. Then came Pakistan and were straightaway under pressure when toe openers were hurriedly packed up by the Brits. It was Younis and Azhar who put Pakistan in a commanding position and both hit centuries, first of their kind since the first test match of the present series. Younis's 127 and azhar's 157 added a tall target fr England to chase. Though the Englishmen thought it was chasable and doable.

Today, however, things changed rapidly- Umar Gul struck hard and so did Saeed Ajmal and both took four wickets each. Abdur Rehamn was on the heels and took the remaining two wickets to send world number one packing with 71 runs still remaining.

Today's victory of Pakistan also is historical: Since 1907, there has been no team which had scored less than 100 in the first innings and still won the test. Today's match will be remembered in the annals of test history for dozens of wickets falling in succession and a much lower ranking cricket team (Pakistan is number 5) humiliating world number 1 with a complete whitewash.

Now we wait for the ODIs, the first one to start on 13 February. The ODIs are going to be more fun than the test matches - with an injured English squad taking on jubilant Pakistan. We will meet on 13th.

Related: Pakistan secures series whitewash

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Pakistan vs England: 2nd Day of 3rd Test - 4 February - Watch Live Online Free

Wow!! The first day of the 3rd Test match between England and Pakistan was simply sensational. It was purely a bowlers day as the day saw falling of 16 wickets in succession. Pakistan lost its first wicket when its score was simply ONE. At 22, Pakistan had lost its entire top batting line and by 99 runs, the entire team was back in the pavilion. Broad and Anderson were the most successful bowlers who took 4 and 3 wickets respectively.

The English squad was high in spirits as after the defeat in earlier two tests mainly at the hands of Pakistani spinners, England needed something to show in the third test. Despite superb performance of their bowlers for dismantling Pakistan for mere 99, the came to bat with much confidence - but their joy was short lived. Pakistan spinners restricted their score and by the end of the day, they were 6 wickets down with paltry 104. Pakistani spinners Rehamn and Ajmal took 3 and 1 wickets respectively, while Umar Gul made the initial headway by taking 2 wickets.

Unless the English make a headway and score something 200 or beyond today, they cannot provide an imposing target to Pakistan.

The link for the 2nd day of the play of the 3rd test between England and Pakistan is given herein under:

Link

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Watch Live Online: 3rd Cricket Test Pakistan vs England [1st day of play - 3 February ] Live from Dubai

        Those coming here for 4TH ODI between Pakistan and England, please click Here


Today 3 February, Pakistan takes on battered England once again in their 3rd Cricket Test match at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

England enters the stadium having lost two earlier test matches in which they were tattered and battered by Pakistan's spinners. The consecutive two defeats of the World Number One team at the hands of much lower in shade Pakistani side has been really humiliating.

The match today assumes special importance as any upset in the match may cost England their position, something that South African, the World Number Two, would want to happen as it brightens their prospects of elevation to the top of the world.

For Pakistan, the earlier victories have been encouraging and morale boosting - but any over confidence or faltering on previous performance may rob them of any brighter prospects. The superb performance of Ajmal and Rehman has been match winning - they need to 'do more' in the third test so as not to afford any window of opportunity to the English team to take advantage of.

The pitch at Dubai is same as the previous two pitches and will certainly aid the spinners, much to the distaste of the British batsmen. 

The likely XIs from both sides are likely to include:

England squad
AJ Strauss*, JM Anderson, IR Bell, RS Bopara, SCJ Broad, AN Cook, SM Davies†, ST Finn, EJG Morgan, G Onions, MS Panesar, KP Pietersen, MJ Prior†, GP Swann, CT Tremlett, IJL Trott

Pakistan squad
Misbah-ul-Haq*, Abdur Rehman, Adnan Akmal†, Aizaz Cheema, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Imran Farhat, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Talha, Saeed Ajmal, Taufeeq Umar, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Younis Khan

Match scheduled to begin at 10:00 local time (06:00 GMT)

The live streaming link for the 1st day of play for the 3rd Test between England and Pakistan is given below:

Link

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Pakistan destroys England in Dubai

Those who were in Dubai today or watched the first test match between England in Pakistan live online [ links shared by Jahao Jalal for everyday's of the play ], would have had the chance of seeing the world number one cricket team being destroyed. The crowd cheered at Pakistan' superb 10 wickets victory over England just on the third day of the 5-days long cricket test match.

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Watch Pakistan vs England 1st Test Match 2nd Day Online Free Live Streaming

‎
Team Pakistan's Doosra-Master Saeed Ajmal, leftthe English Batsmen Helpless in front of hisclassical Doosras and Teesras as he grabbed a career-best 7/55 in the first innings of the 1st Test.

Close of play- day 1 - Pakistan 1st innings 42/0 (Mohammad Hafeez 22*, Taufeeq Umar 18*, 15 ov) 


Match Team Line up for Pakistan:

Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, Adnam Akmal, Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Aizaz Cheema


Match Team Line up for England:
Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Chris Tremlett  

Match Officials:
Umpires: BF Bowden and BNJ Oxenford
Tv Umpire: SJ Davis
Match Referee: J Srinath
Reserve Umpire: Ahsan Raza

Series: England tour of United Arab Emirates, Jazz Cup 2012
Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium
Match date/time: Tuesday, January 17th-21st , 2012 6:00 AM GMT

Live Streaming links for the match between Pakistan and England are given as follows:


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Free Live Streaming: Watch Pakistan vs England Test Match Online

Those coming here for 3rd T20 between Pakistan and England, please click Here

Probable Match Team Line up for Pakistan:

Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, Adnam Akmal, Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Wahab Riaz  


Probable Match Team Line up for England:
Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Chris Tremlett 

Last Five Matches:
Pakistan WWDWD
England WWWWW

Current ICC Ranking:
Pakistan # 5
England # 1

Series: England tour of United Arab Emirates, Jazz Cup 2012

Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium
Kick off date/time: Tuesday, January 17 , 2012 6:00 AM GMT

Live Streaming links for the match between Pakistan and England are given as follows:
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Landmarks and Parks of Tehran

I stopped short of discussing landmarks and the beautiful parks of Iran in my last post as it was getting out of my hand. I never wanted to prolong it any further, lest the interest of the readers was lost.

At that time, the best landmark of Tehran was the Azadi Square (top right in the photo). Actually its name was Shahyad Tower, when it was built to commemorate the 2,500th anniversary of the once great Persian Empire in the Shah of Iran’s reign. After the Islamic Revolution in 1979, its name was changed to Azadi (freedom) Tower. Beautifully lit at night, it can be seen from miles apart. Whenever driving at night, it always served as beacon for direction keeping. Now I hear that another impressive tower by the name of Milad Tower has been added to Tehran’s skyline, which overshadows the Azadi Tower to an extent. But I really cannot comment on it any further as I haven’t seen it except in photographs, in which it looks impressive and pragmatic.

Apart from this, there are many museums and cultural centers. A number of erstwhile royal palaces have now been converted into tourists sites (though expensive items, paintings and furniture has been removed) and are centre of attraction of anyone visiting Tehran, and so for us as well. These palaces included the Golestan Palace, Niavran Palace and Saadabad Palace. The famous Peacock Throne of the kings is placed in the Golestan Palace. We also “roamed” in the vast green lawns of Niavran Palace, where once tourists like us could not even dream of entering. Beside palaces, there are a number of museums that include the Carpet Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, Quran Museum and Painting Museum. Carpets are the specialty of Iran and one can see the most expensive, exotic, minutely woven and ultra big carpets displayed in the Carpet Museum, which was closer to the Park-e-Laleh. The Art Museum had some masterpieces from Picasso and Van Gogh, said to have been chosen by Empress Farah Deeba.

Teheran has wide roads and “Utu-baans – a Persian translation of the German Autobahn.” Beside many others, there were two that would interest us Pakistanis. These were the Bozarg Rah-e-Muhammad Ali Jinnah (Muhammad Ali Jinnah Expressway – the founder of Pakistan), and Iqbal Lahori Street in Eastern Tehran (the national poet of Pakistan Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal had his initial poetic work written in Persian and is still revered as a great poet in Iran and his poetry is taught in schools and colleges. Although born in city of Sialkot, he had his higher education from Government College Lahore, where he was on the faculty later on as well. Perhaps for this association, he is known as Iqbal Lahori in Iran).

If I am allowed to say that Tehran is nothing without its parks, I may not be very wrong. Besides Park-e-Laleh (that I mentioned in my previous post) there are more than 800 small, medium and large scale parks spread all over Tehran, of which Park-e-Millat, Park-e-Niavran and Jamshediah Park are the major ones. I along with my family was a regular visitor of Park-e-Laleh and Park-e-Millat.

Almost on every Sunday, like most of the Tehranites, I would also take my family to either of these two parks to spend the day. And the best thing was that despite being visited by thousands of visitors, there would be no litter left behind by anyone. That’s something unbelievable. There were some fine restaurants in these parks where one could enjoy the traditional Iranian cuisines. Park-e-Millat is the largest of all parks in Tehran. In the imperial times, Park-e-Millat was known as the Shahansahi Park (the Imperial Park). There is a big lake which looks majestic at sun sets, with the reflection of Alborz Mountains. There were boats to enjoy the lake rides. The park has elaborate amusement facilities for the visitors which includes skating lanes, snack bars and coffee shops and a small area with birds in cages. There also is a horseracing club adjacent to the park. I am told that the park has now home to the first musical fountains in Tehran, established in 2008, like that of the Dubai Mall.

Closer to Park-e-Millat is located the Tehran international Fair grounds, where exhibitions of international level are held. I once went with a friend, a geologist from Pakistan who later died in a helicopter crash in Iran, to a book fair and was fascinated to see the interest shown by the Iranians in the books and other AV equipment and aids.

Sandwiched between the Carpet and Contemporary art Museums, Park-e-Laleh (pictured top and bottom left above) was more frequented by us as it was closer to our house. We would walk down to the place in the evenings to enjoy the lush green park with a huge fountain in its centre. There was a Kangaroo at one of its entrances, which is centre of attraction of my sons. No sooner it started to become visible, both of them would leave us and rush towards it and sit in its lap. Chalo Kababs used to be our favourite dinner, followed by delicious coffee ice-cream. On our first snow fall, we rushed to the park and enjoyed the snow fall right there in the open. I would never forget that (though on our way back we found our car to be covered with a heavy sheet of snow and took quite a while to remove it and drive back home).

Well, that’s all for now – but my description of Tehran is far from over. I would write more about people of Tehran in particular and that of Iran in general besides describing the Shehr-e-Baazi (the Sports City) in my next post.

Related Reading:

My memories of Iran - Tehran

Isphahan - Nisf-e-Jehan

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