Staff Report
Published 00:00 26 November 2009
IPL team face stern test against English counties
Dubai: Emirates is to continue its support of the Arabian Cricket Challenge (Arch) as the organisers embrace the thrilling Twenty20 format which has captivated cricket fans around the world.
And in addition to stars of the English county game who will be featuring at the event for a third time, spectators will get to see some of the best emerging talent from the Indian Premier League.
Kings XI Punjab will be sending squad members hoping to follow in the footsteps of star players like Yuvraj Singh, Brett Lee, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara.
To signal the change in format from a 50-over tournament, the event has been renamed the Emirates Airline Twenty20 and will also have a new home at The Sevens.
The young stars of Kings XI Punjab face a stern test, with England's Twenty20 Cup holders and NatWest Pro40 champions Sussex CCC heading up the four-team event from March 19. Surrey CCC and Fly Emirates XI will make up the line-up. The two days of swashbuckling cricket — scheduled to be broadcast worldwide — will be supported by a number of other activities as part of a cricket carnival, which the organisers hope will help the event become an integral part of the sporting calendar in Dubai.
Tournament director and Arch founder Matthew Jackson said: "With an IPL side involved we are excited that in 2010 we now have truly international competition.
"We hope the Emirates Airline Twenty20 will grow quickly to become a similar event in size and style to the highly successful Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens."