Brian Lara, Wasim Akram and Adam Gichrist are set to play competitive cricket

Brian Lara, Wasim Akram and Adam Gichrist are set to play competitive cricket: The most Iconic cricketing legends like Brian Lara, Wasim Akram, Adam Gilchrist and Jacques Kallis along with 86 former international retired players are set to ablaze the cricket field once again in the Masters Champions League (MCL). The cash rich and star studded T20 league was disclosed at an event held at Burj–al-arab in the city of gold: Dubai on the 3rd of June, Wednesday.

Although there are many lucrative T20 leagues around the world like the Indian premiere league (IPL), Big Bash League (BBL), Caribbean Premiere League (CPL), and NatWest T20 blast but emergence of Masters Champions League (MCL) is one of its own kind as it would only include those international players who have retired across all the formats of professional cricket.

The opening event garnered an sparkling buzz as cricket legends like Lara, Akram, and Gilchrist were present at its debarkation and were branded as the the Icon players of the franchise based league. Apart from Allan Border and Graham Gooch, who are the members of MCL’s governing council, Dean Jones, Ramiz Raja, Danny Morrison and Kiran More also showed up on the event. Brian Lara was delighted and uttered – “I am thrilled and honored to be taking part in what promises to be an exceptional display of competitive cricket.”

MCL will be played annually over a period of two weeks across the three cities namely: Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the gulf country of UAE. The inaugural league which will kick start from February 2016 will constitute 6 teams with a total of 90 players with 15 players in each franchise and a maximum of 2 icon players in a team. The dates of auction would be announced soon.

Meanwhile, the MCL has already got the nod of Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) for a decade and therefore it is officially recognized in the eyes of International cricket council (ICC) as well. It will abide the rules and regulations as prescribed by the ICC.

CEO of the Emirates Cricket Board: David East said “The MCL is a fantastic idea, which is now being brought to life right here in the UAE, which is exactly the right 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 with the professionalism and experience of the organizers, including the people they are working with and the commitment and love of the game they all have. For these reasons, and following all the correct due diligence at this stage, we have been willing to give the MCL our approval for a 10 year period. We look forward to it getting underway next year and particularly to see how some of the greats perform.”
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The tournament will be organized in the esteemed partnership of Major Events which is owned by former Australian cricketer Dean Jones and GM Sports. Abdul Rahman Falaknaz and Zafar Shah are the President and Chairman of MCL. Zafar Shah was elated at the launch of the league and insisted “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.
There are rumors that extravagant names like Sachin Tendulkar, Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting and Andrew Flintoff can also mark their return on the cricket field with the advent of this fruitful league. The fans might get to see the edge of the seat thrillers when there is a face-off between Tendulkar and Warne at the Sharjah Cricket Ground which would evoke us back in the memory lanes.

When the first phase of 2014 Indian Premier League (IPL) was held in UAE due to elections in India, it became a mammoth success. It would be interesting to see whether the crowds will flock the grounds again in the same numbers as when these legends used to play in international arena or not. Whatever may happen but certainly the advent of the league has already created a worldwide buzz as the fan base of the legends are feeling blessed as they gear up to see their heroes in action once again.

Official Twitter handle – @MCL2020UAE
Official Twitter hashtag – #MCL2020UAE

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