DUBAI: T10 League, the 10-over cricket league that has been endorsed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), announced on Monday the ‘team draw’ for Season 2, made up of two groups of four teams each.
Defending champions Kerala Kings have been drawn with Pakhtoons, Rajputs and a new side, Karachians. Another debutant team, Northern Warriors has been slotted in the group featuring Season 1 runners up Punjab Legends, Maratha Arabians and Bengal Tigers.
The second season of the much-popular league has been scheduled to take place from November 23 to December 2, the UAE National Day.
A number of Bollywood and Lollywood celebrities from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will add festive flavour to the ten-day tournament to be watched live in more than 20 countries across the world such as the GCC, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the United Kingdom and the United States.
“The T10 League is gaining ground with the formal recognition of the International Cricket Council and the interest shown by the stakeholders that encouraged us to add two new teams to the league,” Nawab Shaji Ul Mulk, Chairman of T10 League and T10 Sports Management, said.
“Today’s team draw is a testimony to the growing popularity of not only the T10 League – but also the game of cricket – which could now be played and in less than 90 minutes. I am pleased to announce the Team Draw led by last year’s Champions Kerala Kings and Runners-Up Punjabi Legends.
“This year’s T10 League will help expand and popularise the game of cricket further. We see this as a growing movement and I urge all to join this and help take the game further.”
The players’ draft is expected to take place in few weeks’ time with the big names being Shane Watson, Shahid Afridi, Eoin Morgan, Rashid Khan, Shoaib Malik, Sunil Narine, Darren Sammy, among others.
Salman Iqbal, president of the T10 League, said: “Team Grouping is very crucial for each team in their journey to the top. Today’s team draw will help the teams to plan their team formation and strategy, going forward.
“Cricket is being re-invented in the UAE and the T10 League is at the forefront of this journey. We are getting a large crowd joining us in this great journey where we hope to break new grounds with many more surprises to come.”
