Abu Dhabi: Khurram Khan, the face of UAE cricket, may have quit the international scene but he will be picking up the willow again for the Masters Champions League (MCL) to be played here in February next year.
Khurram, who played 16 ODIs, scoring 582 runs at an average of 41.57, with one century and three half-centuries, confirmed to Gulf News that he has signed up for the tournament. “Yes, I will be playing in the tournament as I’m retired now. They approached me and I had to say yes as I believe it will be a good tournament with so many former stars taking part,” said Khan.
Legends including Brian Lara, Jacques Kallis and Adam Gilchrist have already confirmed their availability for the tournament. “There are some players whom I have also idolised and playing alongside them will be great. I was waiting to get a call from them and when Zafar Shah [MCL Chairman] called me and told me about it, I was more than willing,” said Khurram, who in 2014 became the oldest player to score an ODI century, an unbeaten 132 against Afghanistan at 43.
The former skipper was of the view that the tournament will be a huge boost for UAE’s cricketing aspirations and it will lure more youth to the sport.
“It is a huge opportunity for the youth in the UAE to come and see the contest between the heroes of the yesteryears. Who wouldn’t like to do that? I’m looking forward to it and I’m sure a lot of youngsters would be thrilled to be there and watch some of the greats of the sport,” asserted Khurram, who played his last match for the UAE in June against Ireland in the ICC Intercontinental Cup in Dublin.
The tournament’s inaugural edition will see six teams, with a 15-member squad each, 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. Former Australia batsman Allan Border and ex-England captain Graham Gooch are also in the MCL governing council.
Interestingly, cricket icons Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne have also united to organise an ambitious Legends T20 League, featuring retired players in the US next year. It will be interesting see which of these tournaments turns out to be a crowd puller.
