Dubai 8th August : Moeen Ali, Sunil Narine, Chris Lynn, Wanindu Hasaranga and Shimron Hetmyer together with Chris Jordan, Alex Hales, Colin Munro and Mujeeb Ur Rahman were revealed on Monday as a few of the top sign-ons to ILT20’s inaugural season.of ILT20 to take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in January-February of next year. “Over the last few weeks, the six franchises of ILT20 have begun discussions and interacting with players, and agents to use their “Direct Acquisition” rights.We are delighted to be in the position today to announce the initial set of players to play in the UAE’s Inaugural (T20) League,” said Khalid Al Zarooni, Chairman, UAE ILT20.
The first list of players does not include players who hail from Australia, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan.Other names that appear in the marquee list are Andre Russell, Dawid Malan, Evin Lewis, Fabien Allen, Sam Billings, Tom Curran, Dushmantha Chameera, Akeal Hosein, Tom Banton, Sandeep Lamichhane, Rovman Powell, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and Mujeeb Ul Rahman.
Commenting on the team’s arrangement, Mubashshir Usmani, Emirates Cricket’s General Secretary, said “It’s thrilling to observe how the squads are forming for the inaugural season of ILT20.Each team will comprise of 18 players which includes four UAE players and two others who are from ICC Associate nations.The caliber of the names today announced is exceptional and the enthusiasm in our competition from top players from around the world.”
There’s another list of players named by the league that comprises: Lahiru Kumara, Seekugge Prassanna Charith Asalanka Isuru Udana Colin Ingram, Paul Stirling, Kennar Lewis, Ali Khan, Brandon Glover, Ravi Rampaul, Raymon Reifer, Blessing Muzarabani, Niroshan Dickwella, Hazaratullah Zazai, Frederick Klassen, Sikandar Raza, George Munsey, Dan Lawrence, Dominic Drakes, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, David Wiese, Qais Ahmed, Richard Gleeson, James Vince, Noor Ahmed, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Navin Ul Haq, Sherfane Rutherford, Saqib Mahmood Ben Duckett, Benny Howell and Ruben Trumpelman.
“We are very excited that a select number of UAE representative-players, from our current pool, will also be considered and signed-on to participate in the League, it is also extremely important to note that these (UAE) players will form part of the team’s playing XI.”
“One of the key objectives for ILT20 is to create players from the UAE as well as other Associate countries to shine on the international stage.ECB offers its sincere thanks to the six franchises for their assistance in the realization of our goal to improve our game and produce stronger more competitive players.” explained Usmani.
The inaugural season of ILT20 will take place in 34-match format in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.Six teams in the league are owned by Reliance Industries Limited, Lancer Capital, the GMR Group, Adani Sportsline, Kolkata Knight Riders and Capri Global.
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