The great warrior race of Marathas is all set to resume battle, but on a fresh battle ground, the cricket fields of the UAE.
Named the Maratha Arabians, a franchise in the upcoming T10 Cricket League to be played over 10-overs-a-side, the squad featuring some of the world’s best known cricketers will do battle in the six-team tournament from December 14-17.
Maratha Arabians is co-owned by Parvez Khan of Pacific Ventures, Bollywood Actor/Producer/Director Sohail Khan and Ali Tumbi of Aqua Properties.
Legendary India Opener Virender Sehwag was unveiled as the icon and captain of the franchise at the launch of the jersey of the side in Mumbai on Thursday.
Sehwag leads a squad featuring a number of stars including former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara, Pakistan’s stars Mohammed Amir and Kamran Akmal. Former Pakistan captain
Wasim Akram is the head coach and mentor of the squad with former England/Scotland cricketer Dougie Brown supporting him as the assistant coach.
The squad consists of players from nine countries including India, England, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, South Africa, Netherlands and UAE.
The tournament is being staged under the aegis of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), with official approval of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Here’s what our captain @virendersehwag has to say to all #MarathaArabians fans & fellow teams. Get ready to see him in action at the @T10Cricket in Sharjah Cricket stadium. #AalaReAala pic.twitter.com/bu4thhyj8g
— Maratha arabians (@MarathaArabians) November 14, 2017
Speaking at the launch of the jersey, Sehwag said: “It is indeed a fresh start for cricket. I am excited about this format because it will be a lot of fun to play the kind of cricket I love. The fact that the tournament aims to entertain the fans at large fits in well with me because that has been my philosophy always. I look forward to rubbing shoulders with the best in the world once again at a historic venue like Sharjah.”
Maratha Arabians Co-owner Sohail Khan said: “Cricket has always been close to my heart. So when this opportunity came along, I was only too happy to get associated. It is a brilliant concept and as a team owner it provides us an excellent opportunity to maximise the popularity of the sport further. We have a fantastic squad with an iconic captain. It cannot get better than this.”
This is the second such association for Parvez Khan with a legendary Indian cricketer, after Pacific Ventures recently launched a Cricket Academy in Dubai with Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
The MS Dhoni Cricket Academy (MSDCA) has been in operation for a couple of months at the Springdales School in Dubai. The former India captain, Dhoni, himself inaugurated the Academy during his recent visit to Dubai.
With @VirenderSehwag leading the side, the @MarathaArabians will look to dominate in the T10 Cricket League. #TCLDraft pic.twitter.com/zcdwPgvX12
— T10 League (@T10LeagueTweets) November 5, 2017
Squad: Virender Sehwag (captain/icon/India), Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka), Mohammed Amir (Pakistan), Alex Hales (England), Lendl Simmons (West Indies), Imad Wasim (Pakistan), Krishmar Santokie (West Indies), Rilee Rousouw (South Africa), Roelof van der Merwe (Netherlands), Kamran Akmal (Pakistan), Mohammed Sami (Pakistan), Hardus Viljoen (South Africa), Ross Whiteley (England), Shaiman Anwar (UAE), Zahoor Khan (UAE); Head Coach and Mentor: Wasim Akram; Assistant coach: Dougie Brown (England); Manager: Abdul Latif Khan
Schedule of T10 Cricket League (All local UAE timings)
14 December 2017
Opening Ceremony from 1800 hours
Bengal Tigers v Kerala Kings
Maratha Arabians v Pakhtoons
15 December 2017
Bengal Tigers v Punjabi Legends from 1600 hours
Maratha Arabians v Team Sri Lanka from 1800 hours
Punjab Legends v Kerala Kings from 2000 hours
Pakhtoons v Team Sri Lanka from 2200 hours
16 December 2017
Team 1 of Group A v Team 3 of Group B from 1600 hours
Team 3 of Group A v Team 1 of Group B from 1800 hours
Team 2 of Group A v Team 2 of Group B from 2000 hours
Bottom 2 Teams of both the groups combined will play off for the 5th and 6th place from 2200 hours
17 December 2017
First Semi Finals: – Team 1 overall v Team 4 overall – match starting at 1730 hours
Second Semi Finals: – Team 2 overall v Team 3 overall
Finals
Followed by closing ceremony