Masters Champions League organizers sweat on Ganguly injury

Joy Chakravarty 19:42 26/01/2016
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  • Saurav Ganguly is the eighth highest run-scorer in ODI history.

    The Masters Cricket League organizers have assured the fans that Saurav Ganguly will be present for the mouth-watering opening match of the League in which his team Libra Legends take on Virender Sehwag-led Gemini Arabians.

    There have been reports from India suggesting that the former India captain, who is now the chief of Cricket Association of Bengal, is injured.

    Journalist Vikrant Gupta, who hosts a daily analysis show on one of the leading TV news channels, tweeted on Monday night: “Huge blow to Masters Cricket League as @SGanguly99 has pulled out of this year’s edition due to an injury”.

    There were no details of the injury, and Zafar Shah, Chairman of MCL, said Ganguly will be in Dubai for the opening match this Thursday regardless.

    “I don’t know about his situation right now. I haven’t spoken to Libra. I heard something about him having injuries, but he is coming tomorrow,” said Shah.

    MCL fast facts

    • Teams: The teams will constitute the top cricket legends and all-time stars who no longer play international cricket.
    • League Table: The teams will compete using a round robin format.
    • Semi-finals: The four teams with the highest points after playing 5 games each will qualify for the semi-finals.
    • The entire event will be celebrated as a new festival in the region with an opening and closing ceremony plus gala dinner.

    “As far as I know, he is definitely coming here and he will be here for the opening match.”

    Another Libra star who was schedule for a late arrival was South African Jacques Kallis. But Australian all-rounder Brad Hogg, speaking to the media yesterday, said there was a very good reason for that.

    “Kallis’ team Sydney Thunders won the Big Bash League on Sunday so I don’t think he will be here so soon after all that celebrations,” said the 45-year-old Hogg, who has been picked up for Kolkata Knight Riders in this year’s IPL despite his advancing age.

    “I think he is landing today and I will be grabbing him and make sure he is there with us for a cruise we have planned tonight. He is now coach of Kolkata Knight Riders, so I have to do a bit of sucking up to him,” Hogg quipped.

    The one person Hogg was looking forward to bowl this MCL was Ganguly, but both ended up in the same team.

    “I have played a lot against Ganguly, but have not played with him. I think he is my most scalped Test cricketer. I have only got 17 Test wickets, but I think I have got him out four times,” said Hogg.

    “I would like to get him out but he is in my team.

    I am looking forward to playing against my old team-mates such as Brad Hodge and Adam Gilchrist. Gilly has kept wickets for me for a long time and I am looking forward to bowling against one of the best batsman of Australian against whom I have not had a chance to play.”

    Meanwhile, the tournament announced Roshan Mahanama, formerly of the Elite Panel of the ICC Match Referees who recently stepped down from his position, to be the match referee for the tournament.

    The former Sri Lanka ODI captain did the role for the ICC for 12 years from 2004 to 2015, during which period he officiated in 61 Tests, 222 ODIs and 35 Twenty20 Internationals.

    The matches will be played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium and Sharjah Cricket Stadium, starting tomorrow. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.ae, or at Carrefour outlets and Al Adil stores across the UAE.

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