Cricket bats were briefly put away and the golf clubs came out to play during the innings break of the Pakistan-New Zealand Twenty20 match on Friday at the Dubai International Stadium. 

The change of game was a promotional activity for the upcoming DUBAi Open at The Els Club, which takes place from December 18-21.

The promotion saw The Els Club’s general manager, Chris Brown, and head professional, Callum Nicoll, contest to see which of them could pitch a golf ball at a set of stumps next to the square.

Playing from the highly unusual lie of the dance platform on the edge of the field, Brown knocked the bails off and ended up as the winner.

“The Els Club is delighted and proud to be hosting a professional tournament for the first time and the fact it is the finale of this year’s Asian Tour makes it extra special,” Brown said.

“Preparations are in full swing and we are confident we can deliver a magnificent and memorable occasion for all our stakeholders and this will hopefully be the first of many professional tournaments that are played at The Els Club at Dubai Sports City,” he continued.

Apart from the tournament, the free admission DUBAi Open has lots to keep the whole family entertained, such as games, a bouncy castle, DJs and music all day long, as well as food and drink from all over Asia.

The Els Club forms part of the exclusive golf course villa community of Victory Heights. It is part of Dubai Sports City, wich features world-class sporting facilities and a variety of world-renowned sports academies.