For the first time, a two-match T20 series is being played on the ice

For the first time in the history of cricket, the lovers of the game are witnessing their favourite stars from the 2000s playing two-match T20 series on the ice. The opening match of the Ice Cricket 2018 tournament was played on February 8 in St Moritz, Switzerland.

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Virender Sehwag became the first Indian to score a fifty on the frozen layer

From Diamonds’ side, Sehwag was the top scorer and the team lost Tillakaratne Dilshan (8), Mahela Jayawardene (7) and Michael Hussey (1). Sehwag, along with Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds, tried to stablise their innings after the early loss, yet their efforts were not productive as they lost the first match of the two-match T20 tournament.

Palace Diamonds lost the first match by six wickets to Royals

Sehwag’s fifty went in vain, as Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi’s Royals won the match by six wickets.

Following the target of 165 runs, Shahid Afridi’s reached 166/4 in just 15.4 overs. From Royals England batsman Owais Shah was the top scorer (74).

While Virender Sehwag is leading Palace Diamonds, Shahid Afridi is appointed the captain for Royals

Squads:

Virender Sehwag’s Palace Diamonds XI: Virender Sehwag (India), Zaheer Khan (India), Mohammad Kaif (India), Ajit Agarkar (India), Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka), Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka), Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka), Michael Hussey (Australia), Andrew Symonds (Australia), Mithun Manhas (India), Ramesh Powar (India), Rohan Jain (Switzerland)

Shahid Afridi’s Royals XI: Shahid Afridi (Pakistan), Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan), Abdul Razzak (Pakistan), Jacques Kallis (South Africa), Graeme Smith (South Africa), Daniel Vettori (New Zealand), Nathan McCullum (New Zealand), Grant Elliott (New Zealand), Monty Panesar (England), Owais Shah (England), Matt Prior (England), Aidan Andrews (Switzerland).

Here is the schedule for the second match:

Friday (February 9) [local time]

10:00 – Cricket Village and VIP Pavilion open

10:15 – Warm-up

10:45 – Presentation of the teams

11:00 – 1st inning (Team 2)

12:30 – Lunch Break

14:00 – 2nd inning (Team 1)

15:30 – Award ceremony and interviews

17:00 – End of St. Moritz Ice Cricket 2018