The UAE lost to Sri Lanka by 15 runs in the Global Qualifier semifinal
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At a time when diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan have hit an all-time low, a Pakistani national is gearing up to organise a cricket tournament in Dubai to celebrate India's 70th Independence Day.
Senior umpire Tariq Butt's heart beats for cricket. Those who know him will vouch for his contributions in UAE cricket.
And it was here in Dubai that he first organised the Indian Independence Cup in 1986.
"I came to Dubai in 1977. I got to know then that Mr (Abdul Rahman) Bukhatir was organising cricket tournaments in Sharjah. I started playing cricket for some local clubs and that's when I made many Indian friends like Shyam Bhatia and Mohamed Lokhandwala," Butt told Khaleej Times during an interview.
"So with the help of many friends, I first organised the Indian Independence Cup under the auspices of Dubai Cricket Council in 1986. The tournament was sponsored by IP Khaitan. Since then people like Dipak Arora and Freddy Sidwa have done a lot for this tournament.
"So it's been 31 years now for this seven-a-side tournament. My Indian friends are still supporting this event."
Butt was also associated with the Pakistan Independence Cup cricket tournament in Dubai.
"Yes, I was organising the Pakistan Independence Day Cup in Dubai as well. Unfortunately, we haven't got sponsors in the last two years. As you know, it's not possible to stage events without sponsors. But we have never faced a sponsorship problem for the Indian Independence Cup," he added.
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