Dubai, Mar 1: Former Pakistan captain and all-rounder Wasim Akram on Wednesday launched the world’s biggest tennis ball cricket tournament, 10PL, in grand style.
At a gala dinner in front of a packed audience, Mr Akram, also the brand ambassador for the tournament, unveiled the jersey, anthem and the trophy of the tournament as 16 sides were named to play in this highly anticipated tennis ball cricket tourney.
The launch event was held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dubai Festival City. The event on Wednesday also saw the tournament draws being revealed, with the 16 participating sides being divided into four groups of four each. The launch was attended by the teams along with several other stakeholders including sponsors and other commercial partners.
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.
Just last month the organisers had announced the new schedule for the event. The tournament will be staged under the aegis of the Sharjah Cricket Council, thanks to the able leadership of Waleed Bukhatir. Mr Akram had been named the brand ambassador for the tournament last year. As the face of the tournament, Mr Akram will make an appearance on the final day of the tournament at Sharjah.
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. This tournament promises to be the perfect platform for raw talents to showcase what they are capable. I wish all the participating teams all the very best.”
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.
Abdul Latif Khan, chairman, Petromann Events said: “We had been inundated with requests from teams to register for the event. Needless to say we have had a tough task narrowing down to the final 16 sides. We are very thankful to Mr Waleed Bukhatir for his leadership at the Sharjah Cricket Council. I am confident that the second edition will reach even bigger heights.”
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