Cricket gets even shorter

– The United Arab Emirates will introduce a new cricket format when big hitters Shahid Afridi (above) of Pakistan, India’s Virender Sehwag, Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkar and England’s Eoin Morgan feature in a T10 league in December.

The ten-over-a-side matches will spread over 90 minutes (45 minute each side) in Sharjah.

Twenty20 cricket was introduced in England in 2003 while the first international Twenty20 match was held between Australia and New Zealand at Auckland in February 2005.

Since then the shortest format – the other two are five-day Tests and 50-over internationals – has become the most popular amongst the fans around the world.

The league’s president Salman Iqbal hoped the idea will kick off.

“Everyone has played T10 cricket on the streets and this will give more fire to cricket and will be a big step forward and people will definitely enjoy it,” said Iqbal.

The tournament will be as swift as the format, lasting just four days from 21 to 24 December with former Pakistani captain Misbah-ul-Haq and Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan also featuring.

Afridi, who retired from international cricket last year, said he was thrilled at the idea.

“When I was told of the idea I was thrilled and requested that I want to play,” said Afridi.

England’s current one-day and Twenty20 captain Morgan was confident that T-10 cricket will have an impact. – AFP