Kerala Kings draft local talent for title defence
All-rounder Naveed topranked in T20 rankings among associate countries
Defending champions Kerala Kings have drafted Mohammad Naveed, one of UAE’s finest all-rounders, for the second edition of the T10 League to be held from November 21 to December 2 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Speaking to Gulf News from Nepal, where he is playing for the Nepal’s Pokhara Premier League and won the best all-rounder award, Naveed said: “I am looking forward to playing for Kerala Kings which has Daniel Vettori as coach and Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard in the team. I have played in many matches against Gayle and hence it would be nice to play alongside him this time. I will be playing with the confidence of having played a big role in Pokhara Paltan’s triumph.”
Shafi Ul Mulk, co-owner of Kerala Kings, said: “Very few know that Naveed is one of the highest ranked players in ICC’s T20 ranking from among the associate countries. He is in the 14th position and is the first from among the non Test playing nation players. He will be very useful for our team.”
Kerala Kings also picked UAE’s top order batsman and wicketkeeper Abdul Shakoor. “We’ve done a very good study in making sure that we field the right combination,” said co-owner Nader Adam Ali, who, along with co-owners Ali Askar and Ul Mulk, is doing his homework to defend the title.
Even in the selection of the Indian players, they went for Reetinder Singh Sodhi — a fine all-rounder who keeps fit even at the age of 38. Though Sodhi played in only 18 one-day internationals for India, he also carries with him experience of having played in both Indian Cricket League and India Premier League.
“Sodhi can hit hard and bowl accurate medium pace. He has hit an unbeaten 251 and taken over 100 wickets in first class cricket. Our team needs players who have experience to handle different situations,” said Ul Mulk.
“We have a globally respected cricketing brain in Vettori as coach and we have been able to get a team for him that can execute his plans,” he added.
The Eoin Morgan-led team wants the squad to not only win matches but entertain fans of the team in UAE as well as in Kerala. “We have a large following of Kerala fans in UAE and in Kerala,” said Ul Mulk.