T20 World Cup 2024: Dubai show up to cheer for new champions

Despite being a neutral venue for the first time since 2018, fans packed the stadium to cheer for NZ and SA in the final.
T20 World Cup 2024: Dubai show up to cheer for new champions
(Photo | AFP)
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DUBAI: On Sunday, all roads in the United Arab Emirates led to the Dubai International Stadium.

After being named as host venues five weeks before the opening game, Dubai and Sharjah have witnessed some of the best moments in the women's game. From Bangladesh winning their first T20 World Cup match in ten years to defending champions and tournament favourites Australia crashing out of the tournament in the semifinal to New Zealand reaching their first final in 14 years, the list goes on.

However, on the finals day, it was probably about the two finalists at the first neutral venue for the women's tournament. With the host nations making it to the final of the last two T20 World Cups - Australia and South Africa - there were mixed feelings on whether Dubai would see a packed house.

However, crowds rolled in to witness the newly crowned champions. There were multiple South Africa flags with fans walking down to the ground donning either a Proteas t-shirt or mainly the Springboks (South African Rugby Team) jersey. From youngsters to families to kids, the crowd had them all. A few of them even brought creative posters to support the teams.

"We can always win," said one of the posters in Afrikaans. Some took the posters banter to a new level with the banner that said "The only thing New Zealand will see are the Ashes from South Africa's Fireworks."

Amongst the fans was a 10-year-old Laura supporting the Proteas. "This will be my first women's cricket match from the stadium. I am excited to support South Africa. I have never really played cricket, as I am a netball player and a diver, but here to support the team. I know I share the name with the South African captain, and she is my favourite player to watch. I hope they win it," she told this daily.

For Arina, who is originally from South Africa, but staying in UAE for the last 11 years, it was all about supporting her home country with her two kids, a few friends and family. With their faces painted in South African colours, the group looked excited to watch the game.

"We are here for the ladies. They have done some amazing job so far in the tournament and we wish them all the best for this final. We are going to be the loudest cheering fans as you can see so many South African fans going around. It's all about our team today and as we say back home "No DNA, only RSA". This is the third consecutive T20 World Cup (across men's and women's editions) where South Africa have made it to the final. If we win this will be our first cricket trophy. This win will be so good for the girls, but also for women's cricket back home," she added.

With the family and friends around, players from both teams could not hide their emotions during the national anthem.

"Whatever it takes" is the tagline of this edition of the T20 World Cup and fans did exactly that to be a part of history.

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