Dileep Kumar
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MUMBAI: The success of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has set the ball rolling for other T20 leagues to take shape. A T20 cricket league involving retired cricketers like Brian Lara, Wasim Akram and Adam Gilchrist will take place in the UAE.
The first edition is set for February 2016 and will last for two weeks. The plan is to roll this out in the UAE for the next 10 years.
The Masters Champions League (MCL) will see six teams with 90 international players playing at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Sharjah Cricket Stadium and Shaikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
The tourney is being organised by GM Sports and Major Events Group, which is promoted by former Australian batsman Dean Jones. On Twitter he wrote, “My company Major Events Group won the event management rights.
Players need to speak to us to register.”
The plan is to do this every year for 10 years. Only players who have retired from competitive cricket are allowed.
MCL chairman Zafar Shah said, “As with many other popular sports, there is a real desire amongst fans and cricketers to see some of the game’s retired icons back in serious competition.
The MCL will be a unique and competitive annual T20 tournament offering exactly that. It will allow fans to consistently watch quality and entertaining cricket involving some of the legends of the game.
“We are delighted to have secured the Emirates Cricket Board approval and we are following all ICC guidelines for this tournament, highlighting the importance of having cricket’s governing bodies in support of a successful and well-regulated annual event.
“The UAE is an ideal location for this unique tournament: it’s easy to access from anywhere in the world; it has a large fan base already living in the country; and it has three fantastic international stadiums to host the matches. We hope that by holding the tournament in the UAE it might also inspire a new generation of Emiratis to take up the great game, leaving a lasting legacy in the country.
“Our ultimate vision is for the MCL to become the natural next step for all international players retiring from the professional game to extend their careers in a masters league.”
Lara said, “I am thrilled and honoured to be taking part in what promises to be an exceptional display of competitive cricket.”
This announcement comes on the heels of media reports that the BCCI has scrapped the Champions T20 League and is instead looking at a mini IPL event that will be held outside India.
T20 league with retired cricketers to be played in the UAE from next year | TelevisionPost.com
The first edition is set for February 2016 and will last for two weeks. The plan is to roll this out in the UAE for the next 10 years.
The Masters Champions League (MCL) will see six teams with 90 international players playing at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Sharjah Cricket Stadium and Shaikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
The tourney is being organised by GM Sports and Major Events Group, which is promoted by former Australian batsman Dean Jones. On Twitter he wrote, “My company Major Events Group won the event management rights.
Players need to speak to us to register.”
The plan is to do this every year for 10 years. Only players who have retired from competitive cricket are allowed.
MCL chairman Zafar Shah said, “As with many other popular sports, there is a real desire amongst fans and cricketers to see some of the game’s retired icons back in serious competition.
The MCL will be a unique and competitive annual T20 tournament offering exactly that. It will allow fans to consistently watch quality and entertaining cricket involving some of the legends of the game.
“We are delighted to have secured the Emirates Cricket Board approval and we are following all ICC guidelines for this tournament, highlighting the importance of having cricket’s governing bodies in support of a successful and well-regulated annual event.
“The UAE is an ideal location for this unique tournament: it’s easy to access from anywhere in the world; it has a large fan base already living in the country; and it has three fantastic international stadiums to host the matches. We hope that by holding the tournament in the UAE it might also inspire a new generation of Emiratis to take up the great game, leaving a lasting legacy in the country.
“Our ultimate vision is for the MCL to become the natural next step for all international players retiring from the professional game to extend their careers in a masters league.”
Lara said, “I am thrilled and honoured to be taking part in what promises to be an exceptional display of competitive cricket.”
This announcement comes on the heels of media reports that the BCCI has scrapped the Champions T20 League and is instead looking at a mini IPL event that will be held outside India.
T20 league with retired cricketers to be played in the UAE from next year | TelevisionPost.com
