October 04, 2017
T10 Cricket League launched- could we have a 3rd format of
the game?
After the roaring global success of T20 Cricket across the
world, a tournament with an even shorter format is being introduced. Teams will
get 10 overs each. This league is slotted to start in November. Like most
leagues, a bunch of Pakistani players are set to be involved. The T10 league's
President and one of the partners is Salman Iqbal (Owner of Karachi Kings &
ARY).
In a glittering ceremony yesterday, in presence of showbiz
stars from Pakistan & India, and legendary cricketers, the details of the
events were formally announced. The tournament will be held from 21st to 25th
of December at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Najam Sethi as the PCB chairman has vowed to support this
league and allowed Pakistani players to be a part of the league. The trophy
will be fought between 5 teams, each including global super stars like Shahid
Khan Afridi, England's current limited-overs Captain Eoin Morgan, former Indian
opener Virender Sehwag, Legendary Sri Lankan Keeper Kumara Sangakara,
Bangladesh’s top all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and the mesmerizing Abdur Razzaq
and Kaptan Misbah-ul-Haq.
The tournament has a regional outlook to it, as teams are
named on basis of 5 distinct regions. The teams include Pakhtoons, Kerala
Kings, Bangla Tigers, Punjabi Legends, Maratha Arabians, & Colombo Lions.
Yesterday's ceremony also unveiled team logos, and was attended by Humayun
Saeed, Mehwish Hayat, Sohail Khan, Zareen Khan and other stars from Pakistan
and across the border.
With just 10 overs on offer, expect all the madness with
players trying to maximize on each ball. It is a completely new area for the
players and coaches alike. What is a good score? Should they bowl or bat 1st?
How long a batsman will be allowed to settle in for? Will there be strategic
innings retirement for batsmen? Not sure we will see many forward defensive or
leaves. Whoever wins the Cup, cricket fans, sure have another source of
entertainment.
