Dubai: Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen will lead a KP XI against a select sponsors’ team in an exhibition match at the end of this year’s annual Al Nabooda Insurance Brokers (ANIB) Reliable Trophy later this month.
Organised by senior umpire Tariq Butt, the 12-team competition will get under way with Friday’s match between Striker CC and Wombats CC at the Fairgrounds Oval of Dubai Men’s College in Academic City.
The teams have been divided into three groups, with the best two from each advancing to the quarter-finals. The team with the best run-rate in the quarter-finals will move directly into the final, leaving the others to battle to meet them.
The final on September 25 will be preceded by the exhibition match featuring a team of chief executive officers from prominent UAE companies taking on a side consisting of players from the two ANIB teams.
Later, Pietersen will present the awards to the man of the series, man of the final, best batsman, best bowler, best fielder and best wicketkeeper.
“This will definitely be a unique exhibition match and perhaps a rare opportunity to see Kevin Pietersen in action,” K. Rajaram, CEO of Al Nabooda Automobiles, said.
“Cricket has always been popular in this region and I hope this tournament will be the start of something bigger for the sport.”
Sukumar Rajagopal, Managing Director of ANIB, said: “The ANIB Reliable Trophy is an extension of our passion for the game and provides a fantastic opportunity for corporate teams and players to continue playing the sport in the right spirit, while also learning from the best.
“We are serious about this tournament and I am confident that it will emerge as one of the better initiatives to recognise local cricketing talent. Who knows, we may even end up with an IPL-style competition in the future. We have only just begun.”
