ABU DHABI: The capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Abu Dhabi is all set to have a T20 league of its own from 4th to 6th October 2018.
Abu Dhabi Cricket (ADC), in association with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), will organize the competition which will be called as the Abu Dhabi T20 Trophy and will feature 6 of the top T20 domestic sides of the world taking each other on.
The sides that have confirmed their participation are England’s Yorkshire Vikings, Afghanistan’s Boost Defenders, Australia’s Big Bash finalists last season, Hobart Hurricanes, Pakistan Super League’s Lahore Qalandars and South Africa’s Multiply Titans. The sixth team is expected to be announced in a short while.
Top T20 stars such as West Indies’ Chris Gayle, Pakistan’s Yasir Shah and South Africa’s Albie Morkel are said to have agreed to play in the tournament.
“Make no mistake, this a dynamic field of the best of the best,” said His Excellency Aref Al Awani, General Secretary, ADSC.
“With this level of player power, the tournament allows Abu Dhabi to deliver on our mandate of ushering in an exciting new era of cricket in the emirate.
“Fans can look forward to three days of thrilling entertainment in what we anticipate will be fiercely fought action to lift the inaugural Abu Dhabi T20 trophy. The tournament will certainly help cement Abu Dhabi’s international sporting credentials, reinforcing its major events hub reputation and expand awareness of our world-class facilities.”
The tournament been officially sanctioned by world cricket’s governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB).
“All the ingredients are there,” said David East, ECB’s CEO. “The ever-improving facilities, the fan base, the support of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and ADC’s proven organisational expertise in world-class events all set the scene for a wonderful event which we hope to see expand annually.”
“We wanted to set ourselves apart from the rest of the world and offer a different product, without creating another franchise-led league,” said Matthew Boucher, Acting CEO, ADC.
“It’s an absolute honour to see the best of the best from around the world’s established teams gather in Abu Dhabi to offer fans an experience that does not currently exist anywhere else.
“We are very grateful to all the teams and their management for backing this initiative and getting on board.”
More than 20,000 fans are expected to fill the Zayed Cricket Stadium each day.
“Given the considerable number of sub continental, British, South African, and Australian, residents in Abu Dhabi, the wider UAE and Gulf region, we are confident of packing the increased 24,000 capacity of the iconic Zayed Cricket Stadium.” said Boucher.
“We’re looking forward to delivering a wonderful experience for our fans at the stadium but the tournament will certainly not be contained to the stands. We expect millions around the world to follow the action on TV, radio and social media – again, cementing Abu Dhabi’s position on the international cricket scene,” he concluded.
The ADC is keeping a 3-year plan in mind to sustain and take the competition to newer heights. Tickets are expected to begin from AED 25 ($6.81).
