Mustafa: New T20 cricket league a huge boost
Three UAE cricketers to feature in each franchise
UAE skipper Rohan Mustafa has hailed Emirates Cricket Board’s (ECB) decision to launch their own franchise-based elite international T20 league at the end of the year.
“It is huge for us. Imagine playing with some of the top players from Test playing nations and trying to prove our worth. It would mean a lot for UAE cricket and for players like me,” said Mustafa, who figured in a T20 league in Nepal few months back. Five franchise teams will be vying for the inaugural title and in all, 22 matches will be played over 24 days in December-January in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah.
The teams will comprise a squad of 16, featuring six current international star players, two emerging players from ICC full member countries, three players from ICC Associate Member nations, two Junior Players and three UAE cricketers.
“What is worth noticing is ECB making sure that three UAE players are there in each franchise. This means more opportunity for UAE players. That was not the case in the T10 league which was conducted in Sharjah. This way more UAE players will get a chance to play and that means our game will improve. The experience of playing with some of the best in business will be a huge learning curve,” revealed Mustafa, adding that the financial gains that come in with the signings will also be a vital motivation to do well in the tournament.
“Our firm aim is for this event to take the sport to all corners of the UAE and to develop cricket at a grassroots level initially in — Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah. This will not be just another T20 tournament, it will be a true international festival of sport and the hottest cricket ticket in the UAE,” said David East, CEO of the ECB.
The event has already received the support of six cricket boards of ICC Full Member nations — England & Wales, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, New Zealand and the West Indies — and organisers are looking forward to receiving the support of the ICC Associate Member countries.
“We are confident that this new event will play a big role in growing the game, inspiring, promoting and developing the sport,” said Zayed Abbas, ECB Board Member and Official Spokesperson.