But he was still mightily impressed after a visit to the Dubai International Cricket Stadium at Dubai Sports City on Tuesday, labeling the venue “sensational.”




Waugh, who among other achievements in a stellar career won two ICC Cricket World Cups, in 1987 and 1999, captained Australia to a record-equaling 16 Test wins in a row and who was recently inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, said after his visit: “It’s a fantastic facility, among the best I’ve seen.



“With a venue like this it would be great if there could be more cricket played here and I know that if more cricketers see it then they will want to play here. It’s sensational.”



Waugh’s wish for more cricket at the 25,000-seat capacity venue will be fulfilled as early as next month when Pakistan and New Zealand compete in two Twenty20 Internationals (T20I) under lights on 12 and 13 November.



The matches will follow on from the successful staging of international action at the venue in April and May when Pakistan and Australia took part in two One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and a T20I.



And the Pakistan – New Zealand matches at Dubai Sports City will be preceded by three ODIs between the two sides at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on 3, 6 and 9 November.



Khalid Al Zarooni, President, Dubai Sports City, said: “We are delighted to have had the chance to show Steve around our facilities and we are equally delighted to know he was impressed.



“We are proud of what we are achieving here at Dubai Sports City and to get approval from one of the greatest cricketers in the history of the game is not only satisfying but also a clear illustration that we have achieved our vision to create a world-class venue with world-class facilities.”



Details of ticket availability and prices will be announced in the near future, as will details of how media can obtain accreditation for the two matches at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.



Waugh also visited the soon-to-be-completed ICC Global Cricket Academy and added: “What is being put together is world-class.”