Pakistan’s pace-bowling sensation Mohammad Amir became the first international cricketer to be picked for the inaugural season of the Ten10 Cricket League (TCL) during the international player draft yesterday. The tournament will take place in UAE later this year over a span of four days. Amir was picked by the Maratha Arabians, who will be mentored by Pakistan legend Wasim Akram and led by the swashbuckling opener Virender Sehwag.
The young Pakistani fast-bowler led an all-star cast, as he was the first cricketer selected at the mega event on board Lotus Yacht in Dubai Marina. Later on, the Arabians added former Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara and Pakistan’s Imad Wasim to their ranks. England’s top-order batsman Alex Hales will also be seen representing the Maratha side. The team will be coached by Dougie Brown, the UAE national team head coach, who will have a daunting task ahead to choose the best combination for the tournament opener. Brown was selected as the head coach when the draft for the UAE players took place on Saturday night.
Legendary @KumarSanga2 goes to @MarathaArabians #TCLDraft pic.twitter.com/NiuV0VK9eV
— T10 League (@T10League) November 5, 2017
“It is a different experience for me, and I have not been in this sort of environment before. It has been very interesting sitting down with the guys, working out how we will go about our selections. I am thoroughly looking forward to it. I know a lot of, not just the English players, but of the overseas players who have played in the UK in recent years. It has been nice to be asked for my opinion, and for people to listen to that,” Brown said who had to join the drafting session of international players within a span of 24 hours.
.@KeralaKingsT10 get fan favourite @Sah75official #TCLDraft pic.twitter.com/3A4dxl7vwt
— T10 League (@T10League) November 5, 2017
Earlier, in a separate draft of the UAE players, nine national teams regular have managed to secure a contract. Shareef Asadullah, the seam bowler who was not in the national fray, was rewarded for his outstanding stint in the domestic circuit. The Punjabi Legends picked him. The spearhead of UAE’s pace battery Mohammed Naveed was informed about his selection in the Bengal Lions team by Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed personally. They will undoubtedly get some playing time as one player in the first eleven has to be from UAE for the five teams. The other team from Sri Lanka will choose its players exclusively from their country.
“It is nice to have UAE presence in the tournament and to have as many players involved as we have. It is an outstanding opportunity for these guys to showcase their abilities. They need that opportunity if they are going to push for other chances in franchise cricket around the world,” Brown further stated.
Bengal Tigers chose fast bowler Mohammad Naveed as their first pick in the UAE players draft. #TCLDraft pic.twitter.com/Yy5rdRMV12
— T10 League (@T10League) November 5, 2017
In the recent past, UAE players have been overlooked to play in various T20 leagues, and it will be significant exposure for the players and a learning curve to play with the internationally acclaimed stars.
“I care about being respected, not the money. It has been my dream to play in something like this, and if I do well on the TV, maybe BPL or Pakistan Super League will follow. For the past two to three years my ranking has been going up. My economy rate has been good. It has been my dream to play in a big league,” the no 10 T20 bowler in the ICC Ranking list, Mohammed Naveed signed off.