Abu Dhabi and T10 League will benefit. Abu Dhabi will be better platform for T10 as the government is involved for the first time and in a big way, Vyas said
Team owners of Abu Dhabi T10 League are confident the tournament, with involvement of government entities, will be a win-win deal for all involved partners.
Rajputs co-owner Vijay Vyas felt the tournament will bring more tourists and recognition to Abu Dhabi.
“Abu Dhabi and T10 League will benefit. Abu Dhabi will be better platform for T10 as the government is involved for the first time and in a big way,” Vyas told Khaleej Times on Wednesday.
“It is an added advantage. Abu Dhabi T10 matches will be shown live in about 122 countries. Our team promotion will be merged with the events held by Abu Dhabi government. So we all do benefit from this partnership. Even players, who are so used to playing in Sharjah and Dubai, are excited about Abu Dhabi,” he said.
Vyas has toured the Zayed Cricket Stadium, the tournament venue, and felt players will be tested in Abu Dhabi.
“Abu Dhabi pitches are different to Sharjah stadium (previous venue for 2017, 2018). Boundaries are long compared to Sharjah and you need real power hitters. This is a real cricketing place. Team composition will be crucial,” he said. Meanwhile, Maratha Arabians co-owner Parvez Khan said hosting the tournament in Abu Dhabi added value to the T10 League.
“With the government involvement, I firmly believe this will be the most organised T10 cricket league,” Khan said.
Khan revealed that he is looking to add new players from India.
“Lots of Indian players have retired. Yuvraj Singh, Irfan Pathan and there are more such players. We are also looking to develop Emirates Cricket Board. We will bring new players from not just India but Pakistan and Bangladesh too. This will not only support our League but the UAE players too as they can make it to the national team.”
Khan has plans of starting a cricket academy in Abu Dhabi and invite students for sessions with his players.
T10 team rebranding in full swing
The T10 League has not only got new partners in the third edition but teams are set for revamp too.
Bengal Tigers, owned by brothers Rizwan and Anis Sajan and Neelesh Bhatnagar, have sought to be renamed as Delhi Bulls.
“There could be few changes in names subject to approval from the ICC,” T10 League owner Shaji ul Mulk said. A new team, Gujarati Panthers, co-owned by Ali Asfaq and Nader Adam Aly, are likely to enter the fray, but the finer details are still being worked out.
Indian businessman Gaurav Grover has acquired Sindhis and wants to rename it Deccan Gladiators.
“The T10 League format is available only in the UAE. I believe this will be shortly opted for in Commonwealth Games and Olympics because this is just a 90-minute format. Backed with my love for the sport and my future cricket academy plans in UAE, it certainly seemed like a good decision to enter the cricket scene in this region,” Grover said in an email interview with Khaleej Times.
Meanwhile, Shaji ul Mulk is set to retain Kerala Knights.
Shahbaz Ilyas and Mohammed Morani remain co-owners of Northern Warriors.
Ashwani Kumar
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