As the world counts down to the most anticipated cricketing event, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in May, renowned former Indian opening batsman Virendra Sehwag played symbolic cricket with Emirates Engineering staff on the tarmac of Dubai airport. The event was part of the launch of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 themed Emirates A380 livery.
Interestingly, the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup trophy also made its debut during the event as excited employees got the chance to take photos with the iconic cup.
Earlier, Virender Sehwag and Lancashire team players Saqib Mahmood and Tom Bailey helped to escort the newly emblazoned aircraft out of the Emirates Engineering hangar.
The cricket players were accompanied by Emirates Engineering staff who had worked on installing the decal on the aircraft.
“I am delighted to be able to see the Emirates plane with the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup livery making its debut today. It is a wonderful way to celebrate what I know is one of the most eagerly awaited sports events of the year and fitting that its first journey is to our hosts in England and Wales,” said David Richardson, ICC Chief Executive.
The attention-grabbing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 decal covers a substantial area of 694sqm on the Emirates A380 fuselage and includes player silhouettes batting and bowling against a backdrop of vibrant shades of purple and pink.
“Over the next few months, the aircraft is expected to fly to UK points including Manchester and London Gatwick. Cricket fans and aviation enthusiasts alike can also look out for the aircraft landing and taking off in Johannesburg, Mumbai, as well as Emirates destinations served by the A380 in both Australia and New Zealand,” said Emirates in a press release.
Emirates will also be flying most of the national teams to the event as they get ready to compete for the trophy and title of world champions of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 in England and Wales.
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup tournament will run from May 30 to July 14, 2019, with teams competing from England, South Africa, Pakistan, India, West Indies, Afghanistan, Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.