Dubai: Cricket legends including Brian Lara, Jacques Kallis and Adam Gilchrist will play in a new Twenty20 tournament in the UAE from February 2016, it was announced at a media conference here on Wednesday.
The Masters Champions League (MCL) was unveiled by organisers Major Events at the Burj Al Arab, with the star trio joined at the launch by Pakistan great Wasim Akram. Former Australia batsman Allan Border and ex-England captain Graham Gooch were also in attendance as members of the MCL governing council.
Brian Lara, Wasim Akram and Adam Gilchrist at the launch
The tournament’s inaugural edition will see six teams with 15 squad members each — making a total of 90 players — battle it out at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Sharjah Cricket Stadium and Shaikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Inaugural matches are due to take place over two weeks in early February 2016.
MCL officials including Allan Border (second from right) and Graham Gooch (right)
Former West Indies great Lara said: “I am thrilled and honoured to be taking part in what promises to be an exceptional display of competitive cricket.
"The UAE is a great location for a tournament like this to be based, with a big fan base in the country.
"I hope people get behind the MCL and support some of the heroes of the game as they look to extend their careers a little longer.
“The MCL is a tremendous force for good, which is partly what attracted me to it.
"The organisers have ensured giving back is a major theme, alongside inspiring cricket in the Middle East and in terms of leaving a lasting legacy.”
Zafar Shah, MCL Chairman, added: “As with many other popular sports, there is a real desire amongst fans and cricketers to see some of the game's retired icons back in serious competition.
Video: Press conference announcing the The Masters Champions League launch in Dubai.Full story here: http://bit.ly/1IbGBl1
Posted by Gulf News on Wednesday, 3 June 2015
"The MCL will be a unique and competitive annual T20 tournament offering exactly that. It will allow fans to consistently watch quality and entertaining cricket involving some of the legends of the game.
"We are delighted to have secured the Emirates Cricket Board approval and we are following all ICC guidelines for this tournament, highlighting the importance of having cricket's governing bodies in support of a successful and well-regulated annual event.
"The UAE is an ideal location for this unique tournament: it’s easy to access from anywhere in the world; it has a large fan base already living in the country; and it has three fantastic international stadiums to host the matches. We hope that by holding the tournament in the UAE it might also inspire a new generation of Emiratis to take up the great game, leaving a lasting legacy in the country.
“Our ultimate vision is for the MCL to become the natural next step for all international players retiring from the professional game to extend their careers in a masters league.”
