Gujarat Tigers set to roar in Ten Cricket League
dubai — Three UAE-based successful businessmen with a strong passion for the game of cricket have announced that they have purchased a team that will compete in the inaugural Ten Cricket League (TCL) in Sharjah later this year.
Anis along with his brother Rizwan Sajan,Chairman of Danube and Neelesh Bhatnagar, MD of NB Ventures have invested in a team called Gujarat Tigers.
Their announcement came less than 24 hours after reports emerged of the tournament on Wednesday evening.
According to sources the 10over competition will run from Dec. 21-24 at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium and will see the likes of Virender Sehwag, Kumar Sangakkara, Chris Gayle and Shahid Afridi in action. For Anis, who is described as ‘Mr Cricket’, due to his passion for the sport as well as owning successful UAE teams Danube Tigers and Danube Lions, and Masters Champions League outfit Sagittarius Strikers, he is thrilled to be back in the game.
“We thought a name like Gujarat Tigers would be good because the Indian Prime Minister hails from Gujarat and that’s why we preferred to choose the state as a fitting tribute to what he is doing for the country,” explained Anis.
“I’m really happy to be a coowner of the team because this is a new format. When T20 was first launched, people were not sure how successful it would become and look at it now.”
Bhatnagar, says the opportunity to co-own a sports team was one he could not turn down. “I co-own the UAE Royals in the International Premier Tennis League and this will be the second team I’ll be coowning and am really exciting with this new venture,” he said.