DUBAI: Former Pakistan paceman Wasim Akram was on Tuesday named as brand ambassador of 10PL, a tennis ball cricket tournament that the organisers claim is the world’s biggest.
The tournament - promoted by UAE-based Abdul Latif Khan's Petromann Events - manages, operates and markets the Indian team.
The tournament boasts the highest prize money for tennis ball cricket anywhere in the world and is valued at a total of Dhs250,000.
Akram will be the face of the tournament in the lead-up to the second edition of the tournament, scheduled to be held from 8-15 December. Like in the first edition, the week-long tournament will be held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Last year 16 teams participated in 10PL and for this year nearly 40 expressions of interest have been received for an available 20 spots, the organisers assert.
Khan said: “It is an absolute honour to have Mr Akram as the brand ambassador of the Indian team. In the coming days we will be unveiling a campaign with Mr Akram to further raise the profile of the tournament.”
Last year in addition to regular tennis ball cricketers, former Pakistan wicket-keeper batsman Zulqarnain Haider also participated in the tournament. This year it is expected that two former Sri Lankan Test cricketers - Chamara Silva and Thilan Thushara - could also be seen in action.
Speaking about the format, Khan said: “This format is very popular in India & Middle East. Last year we showed that there had never been an event of this magnitude held anywhere in the world with such a huge prize money on offer. I am confident that the second edition will reach even bigger heights.”
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