~ PCB grants NOC to 20 top cricketers from Pakistan to play in the second edition of T10 League to be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium from Nov 21- Dec 2, 2018
Dubai : T10 League Management welcomes the decision by Pakistan Cricket Board to issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to cricketers from their country paving the way for them to play at the second season of the T10 League that will take place at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium from November 21 to December 2, 2018.
“The decision has been made after due diligence was carried out by the PCB in which the Board procured and processed detailed information from the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Emirates Cricket Board,” PCB's statement said.
“Furthermore, PCB’s own Anti-Corruption Unit has also carried out a thorough review. It has also been observed that the ICC has given approval for member boards to issue NOCs to their players to take part in the league if they wish so.”
This clears the way for 20 top players from Pakistan to ply their trade including two Icon Players – Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik as well as Wahab Riaz, Sohail Tanvir, Junaid Khan, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan, Umar Akmal, Mohammad Sami, Mohammad Hafeez and Asif Ali, among others.
They will be part of a pool of 104 players – representing all major cricket-playing countries split in to eight teams who will play in two groups at the 12-day League.
Welcoming the move, Shaji Ul Mulk, Chairman of T10 League, thanked the Pakistan Cricket Board for showing their support to the League. “This will pave the way for Pakistani players to play along with cricketers from other countries in the same team and in the same league – something that will help popularise the ten-over format and attract more fans," Mr. Mulk said.
“Now players from all cricketing countries will be able to play and entertain crowd at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium as well as in other parts of the world through our broadcast partners Sony Pictures Network," Mr. Mulk added.
“Let this usher in a new era in cricketing world where the T10 League is spreading the 10-over format cricket that helps spectators to enjoy the game of cricket in a more competitive, fun and festive environment.”
T10 League, the world’s first 10-over international professional cricket league that is licensed by Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), has recently appointed Sony Pictures Networks as its broadcast partners for South Asia, Middle East and North Africa for three years.
The T10 League matches will be telecast live through SONY ESPN and SONY ESPN HD in India, Ten Sports in Pakistan, Ten Cricket in Middle East and North Africa. It will also be streamed on SonyLIV app.
The 2018 edition scheduled to start from November 21 and spread over 12 days, will have 29 matches as compared to a 4-day event in 2017. To meet this new challenge and also to keep the event clean, the T10 League management has made many positive changes to bolster the execution and operations of the 2018 T10 League tournament.
Saadullah Khan, T10 League Partner and Managing Director, says, “This decision by Pakistan Cricket Board will help T10 League to create an environment where players from South Asia and other parts of the world can play at the same venue and in the same team.
“The popularity of the ten-over format cricket is here to stay and grow with every tournament. I take this opportunity to welcome cricketers from all over the world to join the T10 League movement.”
Eight teams – Kerala Kings, Punjab Legends, Maratha Arabians, Bengal Tigers, The Karachians, Rajputs, Northern Warriors and Pakhtoons – have been drawn in to two groups to fight it out in the 2nd Season of T10 League – that takes place at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium from November 21 to December 2, 2018.
