Tendulkar's wicket valued at US$1000

As if the prospect of taking on one of the finest batting line-ups in the world was not incentive enough, a lucky United Arab Emirates bowler is on course for a $US1000 cash bonus, if one of them can dismiss Sachin Tendulkar in Friday's Asia Cup opener against India at Dambulla.

The UAE are one of the leading non-Test nations. In 1996, they took part in their first - and to date, only - World Cup, but have since won the Asian Cricket Council Trophy for three years in a row. Even so, they and their fellow qualifiers, Hong Kong, are hardly expected to put up much of a fight over the next fortnight, when they take on the Test nations of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

"Of course I am overawed at the prospect of playing against the likes of Tendulkar," UAE's captain, Khurram Khan, told AFP. "But I don't think anyone would want to take that wicket for money considerations alone. It would be a prize wicket like no other."

The cash offer was made by a UAE official prior to the team's departure from Dubai, who added that the team should take heart from Greece's unexpected success at the Euro 2004 football championships earlier this month.

"I don't know how the match will go," added Khurram. "I just hope I can enjoy the moment."