ABU DHABI: T10 League, the world’s first franchise-based, 10-over cricket tournament featuring international stars, had recently signed a landmark agreement with Abu Dhabi Cricket in partnership with Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).
According to the UAE news agency WAM, the deal will ensure that the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in the country’s capital city will be the one-and-only home of the T10 League for the next five seasons.
DCT Abu Dhabi under-secretary Saif Saeed Ghobash stated: “This announcement is fantastic news for Abu Dhabi. Our city is a major global hub with a huge variety of attractions that cater to people of all ages and backgrounds, and the T10 tournament’s presence in the city for the next five years represents an exciting opportunity to attract even more visitors from around the globe, especially those from India who represent one of DCT Abu Dhabi’s key markets.”
ADSC general secretary Aref Al Awani added: “T10 is fast, punchy, exciting cricket, making it perfect viewing for those of us living in the UAE.
“The decision to host T10 in Abu Dhabi is a fitting demonstration of our strategic investments in sporting infrastructure, such as training facilities and match stadiums which we have been making over recent years. T10 will bring the latest edge to a city known for its sporting credentials, from Formula 1 to the AFC Asian Cup and the Special Olympics World Games.”
T10 League co-founder and chairman Shaji Ul Mulk was quoted as saying to The National: “We are very pleased to be moving to Zayed Cricket Stadium, as we take one of the world’s most exciting sporting cities by storm.
“The third season of T10 cricket will allow over 100,000 fans the chance to see some of the biggest names in cricket battle it out on the pitch over 90 fast minutes of action.”
“When it started off, the first four days was a proof of concept, a trial.
“Last year was a real test of a full event. Sharjah was also strategic because in the first two years we wanted to make sure we had sell-out crowds. Sharjah, being inside the city, it is easier to attract the crowds.
“It had the result that, in both the years, for the final there were 8,000 to 10,000 people outside the stadium. So in both the years we achieved what we went for. Now, we believe the property is well placed to move to a bigger venue.”
The new deal will also ensure that the tournament will be called the Abu Dhabi T10 League. It marks a massive change since the first two seasons of the tournament took place only in Sharjah, the traditional cricketing home of the UAE.
It is believed that one of the major reasons for ADSC to sign a deal of this nature is the prospect of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) striving to host more matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) T20 competition in Pakistan rather than UAE in the future.
Reportedly, Abu Dhabi Cricket has been seeking a one-of-its-kind cricket association since the last two years.
“As we have seen, PSL have just successfully staged eight games in Karachi right now,” Abu Dhabi Cricket Acting CEO Matt Boucher said.
“The future of us being a bilateral home is not one, in the long term, we can be completely confident in. So having our own event, with Shaji, is exactly where we want to be.
“I think T10 is one of the most exciting, innovative products in world cricket.
“Zayed Cricket Stadium has been a fulcrum for the city’s sporting life, from providing high-quality sports tuition right through to the very best first-class international cricket. This agreement is the perfect private-public partnership for a major sporting event, and you will not find one much bigger than the T10 in the UAE.
“This move to Zayed Cricket Stadium represents a big next step in the growth of Abu Dhabi’s cricketing ecosystem, by giving fans access to a combined sports and entertainment offering through hosting all forms of the game. Whether its international Test matches or the now shortest form of cricket the game has to offer, we are continuing to be the home of the sport in the UAE.”
