Dubai, Jan 21: The organisers of the world’s biggest tournament for tennis ball cricket, 10PL, on Sunday announced the new schedule for the event.
The tournament will now be played from 19-23 March 2018, at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah. The tournament will be staged under the aegis of the Sharjah Cricket Council, thanks to the able leadership of Waleed Bukhatir.
The revised schedule means that the teams hoping to register for the tournament, can now do so by 20 January 2018 by simply emailing [email protected]
Former Pakistan paceman and captain Wasim Akram had already been named the brand ambassador for the tournament.
The tournament is the brainchild of UAE-based Petromann Events to manage, operate and market the Indian team. Petromann Events, brainchild of Mr Abdul Latif Khan, also known as Arif Khan in the sporting arena. The tournament boasts the highest prize money for tennis ball cricket anywhere in the world and is valued at a total of 250,000 Dirhams.
As the face of the tournament, Mr Akram will make an appearance on the final day of the tournament at Sharjah. Before that however the former Pakistan captain will attend the launch press conference of the tournament to be held in the last week of February at the Hyatt Regency, Creek Heights.
On his role, Mr Akram had said: “I am delighted to be the Ambassador of the 10PL cricket tournament. All of us in the subcontinent have grown up playing tennis ball cricket on the streets. Some of us have learnt key tricks that have helped us on the bigger stage as well. This tournament promises to be the perfect platform for raw talents to showcase what they are capable. I am really looking forward to this competition.”
In 2016 a total of 16 teams participated in 10PL and for the second edition a total of 20 spots are up for grabs. This year, the tournament is also expected to attract teams from a number of major corporate houses as well.
Abdul Latif Khan, chairman, Petromann Events said: “The enthusiasm amongst the teams is tremendous. All of them are keen to put their best foot forward for the tournament. We have been inundated with requests from teams to register for the event. Needless to say we are absolutely thrilled and privileged to be able to cater to so many stakeholders. We are also very thankful to Mr Waleed Bukhatir for his leadership at the Sharjah Cricket Council who has been very supportive.”
In the first edition in addition to regular tennis ball cricketers, former Pakistan wicket-keeper batsman Zulqarnain Haider also participated in the tournament. This year another Pakistan cricketer Imran Nazir is also drafted to play in the tournament. Among the other international players, Sri Lanka’s Thilan Thushara and Chamara Silva are also likely to play. From India a number of players who have played Ranji Trophy are listed in squads, alongside former Rajasthan Royals paceman Kamran Khan.
Speaking about the format Mr Abdul Latif Khan said: “This format is very popular in the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East. In 2016 we showed that there had never been an event of this magnitude held anywhere in the world with such a huge prize money on offer. I am confident that the second edition will reach even bigger heights.”
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