Dubai The Masters Champions League (MCL) will renew some of cricket’s greatest rivalries when the event begins this month-end, said MCL chairman Zafar Shah (shown). “This is one of the things that excites me most. Be it Murali-Lara or Gilchrist-Vaughan. But I am really looking forward to seeing how former team mates Sourav (Ganguly) and (Virender) Sehwag get along as opponents. It will be exciting to see MCL kick off with two of the most loved legends of Indian cricket,” said Shah.
Six teams
The MCL is a unique Twenty20 event to be held between January 28 and February 13 in Dubai and Sharjah. The touranment, made up of six teams, will feature retired international players. “The tournament will give fans a chance to see these legendary players at their explosive best. It is a great mix with some of the greatest players the game has ever seen in action,” said Shah, an avid cricket fan.
“I have grown up watching the traditional form of cricket which is Test cricket. Over the years, with the advent of T20 cricket, I believe cricket as a sport has evolved and become more entertaining for the younger generations. And as a true blue cricket fan I want to be part of that growth and promote cricket in countries such as UAE, hence the idea of MCL.
“MCL marks the realisation of my vision to make cricket accessible to a wide and diverse audience. The aim is to create a legacy for the game in a country that has not traditionally been a cricket loving nation. Through MCL, we seek to inspire today’s generation.
“Having the support of my family to make this event a success, my daughter Zarah Shah has now become the face for MCL in the UAE and one of the objectives would also be to get the interest of as many women as possible within the region,” he added.
