Shah Rukh Khan delighted to be part of UAE T20 League
The Knight Riders Group, which owns Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders, has acquired the rights to own and operate the Abu Dhabi franchise, the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, in the UAE T20 League.
Licensed by Emirates Cricket Board, the UAE T20 League is an annual event that will feature six franchise teams competing in a 34-match event. Top players from all the cricket playing countries are expected to be in the lineup of different teams. The league will be providing a platform and exposure to upcoming young cricketers.
Earlier, the owners Mumbai Indians,
Delhi Capitals, the Adani Group as well as the owners of English football giants Manchester United have also bought franchises in the ambitious new T20 League.
Over the last decade, the Knight Riders Group has become a household name in T20 cricket. After establishing Kolkata Knight Riders in 2008 in the IPL, the Knight Riders became owners of the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League in 2015.
Recently, the Knight Riders Group made a significant investment in Major League Cricket (MLC) in the USA and intends to set up a franchise in the greater Los Angeles area.
This investment by the Knight Riders
Group, which is led by Bollywood superstar, Shah Rukh Khan, along with Juhi Chawla and her husband Jay Mehta, will establish their 4th T20 franchise around the world.
“For several years now, we have been expanding the Knight Riders brand globally and closely watching the potential for T20 cricket in the UAE. We are excited about becoming part of UAE’S T20 League, which no doubt will become hugely successful,” said Shah Rukh Khan.
Khalid Al Zarooni, UAE’S T20 League Chairman, said; “The commitment to grow the T20 format and the expertise gathered by the Knight Riders Group, through their involvement in franchise cricket across the world, is undisputed. We are exceptionally pleased with their foresight to join forces with the UAE’S T20 League and firmly believe it will elevate the reputation, and professionalism of the League throughout the cricket community.”
Mubashshir Usmani, General Secretary Emirates Cricket Board, said; “We are pleased with the association of the Knight Riders Group with the League as a franchise team owner, we are very confident that this association will be mutually beneficial for both Knight Riders brand and the League. UAE’S T20 League will attract some of the biggest names in world cricket.”