DUBAI: Former Pakistan captain and all-rounder Wasim Akram on Wednesday launched the world’s biggest tennis ball cricket tournament, 10PL.
At a gala dinner, Akram, also the brand ambassador for the tournament, unveiled the jersey, anthem and the trophy of the tournament as 16 sides were named to play in the tennis ball cricket tournament.
The event on Wednesday also saw the tournament draws being revealed, with the 16 participating sides being divided into four groups of four each. The launch was attended by the teams along with several other stakeholders including sponsors and other commercial partners.
The tournament is the brainchild of UAE-based Abdul Latif Khan, whose his company Petromann Events holds the rights to manage, operate and market the tourney.
The tournament boasts the highest prize money for tennis ball cricket anywhere in the world and is valued at a total of 250,000 Dirhams ($68,000).
Last Month, the organisers had announced the new schedule for the event. The tournament will be staged under the aegis of the Sharjah Cricket Council. Akram had been named the brand ambassador for the tournament last year. As the face of the tournament, Akram will make an appearance on the final day of the tournament at Sharjah.
In the first edition in addition to regular tennis ball cricketers, former Pakistan wicket-keeper batsman Zulqarnain Haider also participated in the tournament. This year another Pakistan cricketer Imran Nazir is also drafted to play in the tournament. Among the other international players, Sri Lanka’s Thilan Thushara and Chamara Silva are also likely to play.
From India a number of players who have played Ranji Trophy are listed in squads, alongside former Rajasthan Royals paceman Kamran Khan.
Khan said: “We had been inundated with requests from teams to register for the event. Needless to say we have had a tough task narrowing down to the final 16 sides. We are very thankful to Mr Waleed Bukhatir for his leadership at the Sharjah Cricket Council. I am confident that the second edition will reach even bigger heights.”
