Dubai: Wasim Akram, legendary pacer and former Pakistan captain, will be the mentor and coach of the Maratha Arabians team in the oncoming T10 Cricket League to be held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Speaking to Gulf News, Parvez Khan, the owner of the Maratha Arabians team and chairman Pacific Ventures, said: “We are delighted to have Akram as our team’s mentor and coach. There is no one better than Akram who knows the Sharjah stadium conditions best as he has produced some of his splendid bowling spells there. His knowledge will be of great help to everyone in the team.”
Akram is expected to arrive on November 5 for the T10 players draft and will personally pick the team combination.
“Akram’s presence will be a big boost to all the players in the team as they would also be able to take tips from him. The knowledge he has passed on to many bowlers have made them very good effective pacers,” added Khan.
Maratha Arabians have already roped in India’s hard hitting batsman Virender Sehwag as captain and icon player of the team.
When asked how is to have a Pakistan coach for a team which has an Indian name, Khan said: “Akram has been the coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders and hence this role will be nothing new for him. Akram has helped many Indian pacers in the past, will do the same with Maratha Arabians players from the different countries. Akram’s presence will also convey the message of peace between India and Pakistan.”
Maratha Arabians is also owned by Saudi Arabia born Ali Tumbi, who is owner of Aqua Properties. Bollywood star Sohail Khan is the co-owner. “Akram is an inspiration for youngsters and we wanted the world’s best swing bowler to be our guide,” said Tumbi.
It is the tie-up with an owner from Saudi Arabia that resulted in the team being named Maratha Arabians. “We will be trying to get a few players who are not contracted with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to play for us. Next year, we will approach BCCI to release Zaheer Khan and Suresh Raina to play for this team,” said Khan.
In the owners’ Pick Order Draw held last week, Maratha Arabians team have won the rights to make the first pick during the players’ draft on November 5.
