Mumbai: It looks like the shorter format of the game seems to be picking up in cricket. In an era of T20 leagues – Big Bash League, Caribbean Premier League, NatWest T20 Blast and the big Indian Premier League, now comes yet another brand new T20 cricket league for retired players as well. It’s ‘The Masters Champions League.’
Read: IPL faces competition, Essel Group to set up rival T20 league
Former Australian cricketer and expert Dean Jones recently released a teaser revealing key information about The Masters Champions League (MCL). GM Sports, in association with Jones’ company, Major Events, will organise the league.
"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 of the greatest iconic names that the game has ever seen," Jones says in the video.
Reportedly, the league will see the likes of Wasim Akram, Brian Lara, Jacques Kallis and Adam Gilchrist on board.
Cricket legends including Lara, Kallis and Gilchrist to play in new Masters Champions League Twenty20 tournament in UAE from February 2016
— Gulf News Sport (@GulfNewsSport) June 3, 2015Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah will host the games, due to take place in February 2016. Six teams will form with squads of 15 for the inaugural tournament.
6 cricket teams of former players to battle it out in the #UAE for inaugural #MCL2020 Masters Champions League pic.twitter.com/oRi7gJa8hu
— Abdul Karim Hanif (@Abdulkarimhanif) June 3, 2015The MCL was unveiled by organisers Major Events at the Burj Al Arab. Pakistan great Wasim Akram, former Australia batsman Allan Border and ex-England captain Graham Gooch were also in attendance as members of the MCL governing council launched the coveted league.
At the press conference of The Masters Champions League #MCL2020 Alan Border, Gooch, @EmiratesCricket @891Radio4 pic.twitter.com/ZltM7dTBTv
— Neeil (@Neeil) June 3, 2015The news comes shortly after reports emerged that cricket icons Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne are all set to launch a new T20 Legends cricket league for former international cricketers over a three-and-a-half-year period, and are set to take the sport to the United States. Los Angeles might probably host the first series in September.
