Khurram Khan is finally acting his age. The former UAE captain, who became the oldest player ever in One Day International history to score a century last year, has confirmed his participation in the inaugural Masters Champions League (MCL) next year.
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The 44-year-old batsman became eligible for the tournament having called time on his 14-year UAE career last month. The minimum qualification for players to qualify to register for MCL is five international matches.
He will join a stellar legends field which includes West Indies’ Brian Lara, Pakistan’s Wasim Akram, Australia’s Adam Gilchrist and South Africa’s Jacques Kallis for the two-week Twenty20 event in the UAE in February.
It’s a format that Khan loves and has done fairly well in, having scored over 500 runs for the UAE. The left-handed batsman insists he didn’t have to think twice about signing up, and said: “Once I heard the news that the MCL was being held in the UAE, it was something that I always wanted to be part of.
Ireland defeated UAE in an iCup match at Malahide CC in Dublin. Final match in top career for Khurram Khan#uaelegend pic.twitter.com/ebJmSI4XbR
— Dev Govindjee (@DevMatchRef) June 6, 2015
“A few people were asking me if I wanted to play. After all, it’s one that all international retired players would want to play in.
“It’s a great opportunity to be playing with legends of the game. I’ve just retired from the UAE team and I’m still fully fit and I thought why not?
“I love cricket and I especially love batting and bowling and it will be a special moment to play in the UAE alongside some of the biggest legends in the sport.”
He admits it will be strange lining up alongside the stars but is relishing the opportunity.
“The World Cups (2014 World Twenty20 and 2015 World Cup) were big tournaments and the MCL is an entirely different competition,” he said.
“I cannot remember the number of times I’ve seen Brian Lara, Wasim Akram and Adam Gilchrist play on television, so it will feel pretty amazing to share the same dressing room and field with them.”
By signing up, Khan has become the first former UAE player for the MCL with organisers GM Sports chairman Zafar Shah keen to see more ex-players involved. And Khan insists the tournament will be the boost the profile of cricket in the country.
“You just have to look at the IPL here in 2014 to see how big T20 is in the UAE,” said Khan, who will have to wait until the auction later this year to find out which franchise he will represent.
“It will certainly attract big crowds and hopefully be the start of something big and will also inspire the Emiratis to the game.”
Since retirement, Khan has not played in any Ramadan tournaments this summer rather spending more time with his family, but insists he will be in top form and shape for MCL come February.
