DUBAI: UAE’s cricket governing body the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Sunday its own franchise based Twenty20 league, the name of which will be unveiled at its official launch later this month.
The T20 league, officially sanctioned by the ICC for a period of 10 years, will have franchises representing five of the seven cities that constitute the Gulf emirate – Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman. 22 matches are expected to be played over 24 days during the months of December and January.
In a squad of 16, each team will have 6 marquee players, 2 emerging players from ICC full member countries, 3 players from associate member countries, 2 international junior players and 3 cricketers from the UAE. The tournament is said to have won the support of six cricket boards, namely England & Wales, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, New Zealand and West Indies.
“We are confident that this new event will play a big role in growing the game, inspiring, promoting and developing the sport in order to add to the already world-leading UAE cricketing and sporting landscape,” said Zayed Abbas, ECB board member and official spokesperson.
“Our firm aim is for this event to take the sport to all corners of the UAE and to develop cricket at a grassroots level initially in – Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah. This will not be just another T20 tournament, it will be a true international festival of sport and the hottest cricket ticket in the UAE,” said David East, CEO of the ECB.
Dr Nasim Ashraf, chairman of the T20 League board of directors, former chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and ECB board member said: “Our intention is to build a new event that is here to stay, and one that occupies a niche position in the international cricket calendar. We are not looking to compete with other T20 leagues, we are looking to develop an international festival of cricket that exists first and foremost for the benefit of the players, and with a very specific goal of helping to develop new talent from around the world and grow the game in keeping with global best practices,” he said.
“Our players will be at the heart of the action, entertaining and playing the game to the limit, looking to make a name for themselves and a mark on the world of T20. The diversity of players that will compete in this new event will represent the great diversity of the UAE – players of all nationalities love playing and staying in the UAE, with a lifestyle beyond compare. This is a chance for them to come to a winter sports super hub and play 7 star cricket in a competition that will be world-class in its design, organisation, management, quality, sound practices, compliance with rules and regulations, profile, innovation and fan experience.”
