Yusuf Pathan set to become the first Indian player to play a foreign T20 league

Indian all-rounder Yusuf Pathan is all set to join the Kowloon Cantons in the Hong Kong T20 Blitz this year. With that, he will become the first Indian male cricketer to feature in a foreign Twenty20 tournament. The previous edition of the Blitz was a fairly successful one. The T20 league had seen the international faces like Ryan Campbell and Michael Clarke feature in the 2016 edition.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) gave Yusuf the clearance to participate in the tournament this year. Hong Kong T20 Blitz 2017 is scheduled to be played from March 8 to March 12. The tournament does not clash with any of the Indian domestic fixtures during that time.

Talking exclusively to CricTracker over the phone Yusuf said, “I am glad that the BCCI and Baroda Cricket Association have been kind enough to clear my request to appear in the Hong Kong T20 Blitz. It is an exciting tournament with some of the biggest players from around the world featuring there. I am really excited to be playing the tournament.”

“The experience there will also help me in my preparation for the upcoming IPL season. Will do my best for the Kowloon Cantons team,” the allrounder added.

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The second edition of the tournament promises to be a bigger and better affair. Many international stars have lined up for the event. Veteran Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi, Scotland’s batting mainstay Calum MacLeod and English pacer Tymal Mills have also signed up for the Hong Kong T20 Blitz this year.

Prior to Yusuf, Indian female cricketers have participated in other T20 leagues. Indian Women’s T20 team skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana had participated in the Women’s Big Basg League earlier this year. The Kowloon Cantons looked absolutely pleased with their most recent signing. Urvashi Sethi, the CEO of the Kowloon Cantons, mentioned that they are delighted to have a popular Indian player on board.

The Kowloon Cantons looked absolutely pleased with their most recent signing. Urvashi Sethi, the CEO of the Kowloon Cantons, mentioned that they are delighted to have a popular Indian player on board.

“We are delighted that a player from India is joining our team. We believe that it is our love for the game and commitment to its development in Hong Kong that has enabled us to get one of the best players of this format of the game, Yusuf Pathan. An international player and in particular an Indian one attracts world attention, which is good for our local cricketers. They now have the opportunity to showcase their talent to a larger audience.”

The CEO of the Cricket Hong Kong, Mr. Tim Cutler, was also pleased with the efforts of the Cantons for signing up a renowned player like Pathan. He also appreciated and acknowledged the permission grant from the BCCI. He believes the tournament will be a big hit.

“This is amazing news and we are very appreciative of the BCCI in granting this NOC [Non Objection Certificate]. This will go a long way to help the development of the sport in the region and with even more stars still to be announced this is shaping up to be a superb tournament that will be enjoyed by millions across the world,” he said.

“The tireless work of the Cantons should also be acknowledged. Without the tenacity of [Cantons CEO] Urvashi Sethi-Sodhi this simply would not have happened and it is great to see the Cantons again lifting the event to greater heights with their hard work,” he added further.