With cricket booming across the UAE, Sport360° decided to sit down each week with one local cricketer to discover why they love the sport so much.

This week we spoke to veteran Lions CC's Arunalu De Silva. 

Age: 34

Born: Colombo, Sri Lanka

Best match you watched: Sri Lanka beating New Zealand in the quarter-final of the recent World Twenty20 in Bangladesh. The bowling attack that Sri Lanka provided came on strong at a crucial time.

First cricket match you saw: It was a Division 1 match in the Under-19 level in Sri Lanka when I was at school.

Favourite format of the game to watch: Twenty20

Favourite player growing up: Mark Waugh. I liked his style. He was cool and calm and had a relaxed way of playing shots.

First piece of cricket equipment you bought or were given: I was given a cricket bat by my grandfather when I was eight years-old.

One stadium you would like to visit: Sydney Cricket Ground because the atmosphere looks really good on television.

Best player at the moment: AB de Villiers. It’s the way he adapts to all formats of the game. Can play all three formats accordingly.

Favourite television sporting moment: Real Madrid beating Bayern Munich 4-0 in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Other sports you play: Football

Favourite meal: Sri Lankan cuisine – rice and curry

Best thing about cricket in UAE: We get to play with so many players from different countries. In Sri Lanka we only play with local players