Inzamam: T10 Cricket League will win hearts

Former Pakistan captain is co-owner of Punjab Legends team

Former Pakistan captain and legendary batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq, coowner of one of the teams featuring in the upcoming T10 Cricket League, said the event, which is to be launched tomorrow, will prove to be an innovative and action-packed tournament.

Inzamam and his brother Intizar-ul-Haq are the owners of the Punjab Legends team that will compete along with Bangla Tigers, Pakhtoons, Maratha Arabians, Kerala Kings and Colombo Kings.

Answering a query as to how he felt about the innovative and unique tournament, Inzamam said: “I am very happy to be part of this league and see this very innovative concept that my friend Shaji-ul-Mulk is introducing take off well.”

Inzamam, who has played only in one Twenty20 International match in his career when he captained the Pakistan team to a five-wicket win over England at Bristol in 2006, expressed his hope that the T10 league will win the hearts of the fans. “I feel this format is bound to become very popular as it is going to have action from the first delivery. I feel it is well designed for the South Asian region.”

Meanwhile, the Danube Group and NB Ventures have bought the Bangla Tigers team. The Sajan brothers — Rizwan and Anis — along with Neelesh Bhatnagar of NB Ventures and Shirajuddin Alam are the owners.

The Pakhtoons team will be owned by Habib Khan and will be captained by Shahid Afridi. Kerala Kings are owned by Husain Adam Aly and Dr Shafi-ul-Mulk. Maratha Arabians are owned by Parvez Khan and Ali Tumbi besides Bollywood actor Sohail Khan. Sri Lanka Cricket Board and T Ten Sports Management are owners of Colombo Kings.

The tournament will be staged at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium from December 21 to 25.