UAE T20x set to be a star-studded affair
dubai — The inaugural UAE T20x has seen over 500 players from around the world sign up to date making this league, which set to be ‘the hottest cricket on earth’, one of the most inclusive T20 competitions in the world.
UAE T20x will take place from December 19 to January 11 in Dubai and Sharjah with five new franchise teams vying for the inaugural title in a 22-match format to be played over 24 days.
The event has already received the support of full member and associate member nations including England, South Africa, Australia, Pakistan, West Indies, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Japan, Scotland, Hong Kong, Canada, Nigeria, Germany and more. UAE T20x will provide opportunities for cricketers from both full member and associate member countries as well as juniors alike, to play with and develop their skills alongside the very best in the world. The five franchises will comprise a squad of 16 featuring six international star players, four emerging and junior players, three ICC associate member players, and three UAE national team players.
The highest number of player sign ups come from England, with a commendable 113 players registering their interest, including the likes of Johnny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Jason Roy, Alex Hales, Ravi Bopara, Luke Wright, Steve Finn, Chris Jordan, Liam Plunkett and national cricket captain and UAE T20x playing icon, Eoin Morgan.
There isn’t a shortage of Caribbean flare as well with 51 total sign ups from the West Indies including T20 specialist and icon player Andre Russell who will be joined by superstar names such as Kesrick Williams, Marlon Samiels, Daren Sammy, Shannon Gabriel, Samuel Badree, Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Evin Lewis, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin and Dwayne Smith.
Additionally, from South Africa joining the league’s global ambassador AB de Villiers and playing icon David Miller are 41 other Proteas including Wayne Parnell, Imran Tahir, Rilee Rossouw, David Wiese, Kyle Abbott, Farhaan Behardien and JP Duminy.