Dubai: Following the huge success of the first edition of the Ten Premier League (10PL) gully cricket tournament, the organisers are gearing up for the second season with wider participation.
Former Indian batsman Virender Shewag, as the brand ambassador for the first edition of the event, is expecting more intense battles than last year.
“The nature and structure of the competition had caught my attention. I am one like many youngsters began by playing with tennis ball and want the event to be a success,” said Sehwag, who gave away the prizes after the first edition final at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Speaking to Gulf News, Abdul Latif Khan, who visualised the event, said: “We will continue to be the richest gully cricket tournament with total cash prize of Dh250,000. The second season will be held in October by including more teams, especially from the subcontinent.
Latif went on to reveal that Sri Lanka international players will compete in the coming tournament.
“Super Fashion Sri Lanka will take part with reputed Sri Lankan players. Sri Lanka internationals Chamara Silva and Thilan Thushara will be playing for Super Fashion team. Teams from Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai and Saudi Arabia have confirmed their participation,” he said.
The organiser are expecting many Indian and Pakistan international player this year as the fame of this tournament and attractive prize money has reached many countries. Last year former Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider featured in the competition.
“We are able to provide such a huge prize money as all the sponsors and partners that were associated in the first edition will be backing this event, organised by Petromann, a UAE-based oil and gas company. We have roped in Think Big Entertainment to promote the tournament in a bigger way. Another top cricketer will also be announced as brand ambassador,” added Latif.
In the first edition majority of the teams were from abroad and Globe Weststar Shipping was only top domestic team that competed in the event. Organisers are expecting more UAE domestic teams this year. With Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav and promising Basil Thampi stating that they began their career by playing tennis ball cricket and that even Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis choose to play cricket in the bylanes with tennis ball, interest for the coming edition has increased with many youngsters working hard to improve their game.
The new teams gearing up are Intellicom Solutions, Bengaluru; Sarang Super Raptors, Mumbai; Delhi Rsing Stars, Delhi; Super Fashion Sri Lanka; Kokan 11 — Saudi Arabia and Indo Riders, Saudi Arabia. Krishna Satpute considered the superstar of gully cricket had bagged the best batsman award representing champions Petromann.
Plans are on for live streaming of the match on YouTube and on the official website: www.10pl.net.
Registering for the tournament can also be done through the website.
