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29 March 2024

Retired greats Akram, Lara, Gilchrist and Kallis sign up for Masters Cricket League in UAE

Brian Lara, Wasim Akram and Adam Gilchrist playing beach cricket beside the Burj Al Arab. (Supplied)

Published
By Allaam Ousman

The masters are back and heading to the UAE for cricket's next biggest showpiece. Retired cricketing greats are set to begin another innings on the international stage in the the Masters Champions League (MCL).  

Renowned commentators Ramiz Raja and Danny Morrison hosted the press conference at the iconic Burj Al Arab on Wednesday where details of the MCL were revealed by the organisers.

Former Australia captain Allan Border and past England captain Graham Gooch, who are members of the MCL Governing Council, were also present on the occasion.

Three legends of the game - Brian Lara, Wasim Akram and Adam Gilchrist - along with Jacques Kallis have endorsed this new Twenty20 event to be held at three venues in the UAE in February.

"It's fun, different and exciting to be playing cricket again with the likes of Lara, Gilcrist and Kallis. It also gives me some motivation to concentrate on my fitness as well," said Akram, 49, who hoped Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thomson and Vivian Richards could be lured for this event.

"We are all looking forward to it. I though it would never happen that we would be asked to come and play. By the time it starts we will be 100 per cent," added Akram who is associated with Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.

West Indian great Brian Lara was excited to be part of this inaugural venture.

"I am thrilled and honoured to be taking part in what promises to be an exceptional display of competitive cricket. The UAE is a great location for a tournament like this to be based, with a big fan base in the country," said Lara.

"I'm happy to be part of this pioneering effort. It's wonderful to be here. A lot of players who left on their own terms will get an opportunity to be back," said Lara.
 
Gilchrist ruled out an exodus of retirements of players to join this lucrative league.

"I wouldn't think guys would prematurely retire. There are so many leagues around. Hopefully this would be successful. It will be an option post more traditional careers. It's very exciting. T20 cricket has changed the look of the game and the feel of the game. I wouldn't suspect anyone would retire prematurely just to be in this league," said the former Kings XI Punjab star.

Former Australian cricketer Dean Jones' company Major Events along with GM Sports have joined hands with the Emirates Cricket Board to stage this extravaganza in the UAE.



“This iconic tournament will be organised and played in the UAE for the next 10 years. Based on the T20 format, this will bring together some the greatest iconic names that the game has ever seen,” says Jones.

Border noted that the popularity of T20 cricket has exploded in the last few years.

"I'm pretty excited about this new concept though I'm past the playing age," he said.

England's batting coach Gooch said the tournament would reignite the competitive spirit within players.

"Even if you retire one thing never dies in a sportsman is the competitive nature of that person. That is always there. Even if you are not in tip top condition, your mind is always in tip top condition to be compete with your opposite number," said Gooch.

The MCL is a unique T20 cricket tournament for iconic past players who have retired from all forms of international cricket.

The inaugural MCL matches are to take place over two weeks in February 2016 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Cricket Stadium, which has staged major internationals in the past, including IPL matches last year.

The MCL will feature a franchise format. The tournament will be made up of six teams in its first year with a total of 15 players per squad.

"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 UAE is an iedal location for this unique tournament. We hope that it will inspire a new generaqtion of Emiratis to take up the great game. Our ultimate vision is for the MCL to become the natural next step for all international players retired from the professional games to extrend their careers in a masters league," said the MCL chairman Zafar Shah, the brain behind this tournament having conceived the concept together with former Indian wicketkeeper Kiran More.

"The MCL is a fantastic idea, now being brought to life right here in the UAE, which is the perfect home for the tournament," said CEO of ECB David East.

Chairman of MCL Abdulrahman Falaknaz said this tournament said UAE have taken part in two World Cups and it would greatly benefit Emirati players as well.

"I think we are going to nurture with this tournament and we will see good UAE players in the World Cup in future," he said.

Further information about the MCL will be available on the official MCL website: www.mcl2020.com. Fans and other followers can also keep up with the tournament via MCL’s official social media channels:

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/MCL2020UAE
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/mcl2020uae
Instagram:  https://instagram.com/mcl2020UAE/