DUBAI,
United Arab Emirates /PRNewswire/ -- Some of cricket's
greatest former international players are due to return to
competitive action in a new and unique T20 tournament, which will
be held annually across three stadiums in the United
Arab Emirates.
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The
Masters Champions League, MCL, will feature a franchise format.
However, unlike the IPL or Big Bash, teams will not be based on
geographic location, and instead will simply include the best
possible players a franchise owner can put together from the
qualifying player base.
The
tournament will be made up of six teams in its first year, with a
total of 90 players taking part - 15 members per squad. The players
must all be retired from international cricket.
The
MCL has been approved for an initial 10 year period by the Emirates
Cricket Board (ECB), while the organiser and rights owner of the
tournament, GM Sports, is also closely following the established
guidelines set out by the game's governing body, the International
Cricket Council (ICC).
The
inaugural MCL matches are due to take place over two weeks in early
February, 2016. They will be played in the Dubai International
Cricket Stadium, Abu
Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium and Sharjah
Cricket Stadium.
The
tournament was launched at a ceremony on Wednesday held
in Dubai.
It was attended by former greats including West Indian cricketing
legend Brian
Lara, Australian icon Adam
Gilchrist, and retired Pakistani fast bowling
great Wasim
Akram. South
Africa's Jacques
Kallis announced his involvement via a pre-recorded
video message. Former England captain Graham
Gooch and past Australian captain Allan
Border, both members of the MCL governing council, were also
present.
Speaking at the ceremony, Zafar
Shah, MCL Chairman, said: "As with many other
popular sports, there is a real desire amongst fans and cricketers,
to see some of the game's retired icons back in serious
competition. The MCL will be a unique and competitive annual T20
tournament offering exactly that. It will allow fans to
consistently watch quality and entertaining cricket involving some
of the legends of the game."
David
East, CEO of the Emirates Cricket
Board, was also present at the ceremony
and commented: "The MCL is a
fantastic idea, now being brought to life right here in the UAE,
which is the perfect home for the tournament. The chance to watch
proper, competitive action involving the greats of the game will
inspire many and help to ensure UAE cricket continues to go from
strength to strength. We are pleased to have given the MCL our
extended approval and look forward to it getting underway next
year."
Brian
Lara, one of the iconic retired players who has signed up to
join the MCL, added: "I am thrilled and honoured to
be taking part in what promises to be an exceptional display of
competitive cricket. I hope people get behind the MCL and support
some of the heroes of the game as they look to extend their careers
a little longer. The organisers have ensured giving back is a major
theme, alongside inspiring cricket in the Middle
East and leaving a lasting legacy."
The
MCL official website can be found at: http://www.mcl2020.com
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150603/748035)
Video:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7542351-cricket-masters-champions-league/