Saqib says Hundred does add up for cricket

SAQIB Mahmood has urged people to have an ‘open mind’ about The Hundred when it starts next season.

There have been plenty of critics questioning the need for the ECB’s new flagship competition.

Lancashire fast bowler Mahmood will be playing for the Manchester

Originals, based at Emirates Old Trafford, after being selected as one of two ‘local icons’ - the other being Red Rose spinner Matthew Parkinson.

Several big names have been signed up for the eight-team, city-based tournament - including Australia’s Steve Smith.

Yet critics say the competition will damage county cricket, with players leaving their clubs mid-way through the season to join up with their sides in The Hundred.

But Mahmood said: “I am over the moon to be able to carry on playing my cricket at Old Trafford in The Hundred. I love playing there.

“There are critics and, as a player, you have to be aware that these are the guys who are extremely passionate about the county game and don’t want to see it fall.

“And for me as a player, it is nice to see how many people care about the county game. But you have to have an open mind.

“What I am looking forward to most is that there are only eight teams as opposed to 18, so the standard will be very high.

“And as a player you want to play against the best guys and play against the best teams. That’s what we will get with this competition. You want to replicate international conditions as much as you can. Look at the success of the IPL, they have high calibre players playing.

“Now in The Hundred we have the best players in the country playing with some of the best players in the world.”