T10 League gets ICC sanction

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially sanctioned the second season of T10 League to be held from November 23, in Sharjah, announced the T10 League organisers on Tuesday.

The cricket apex body's validation comes as a boost for the league that will have two new teams making them to a strong eight teams and a ten-day long season. From a 50-over game to 10-over game, T10 League is the evolution of cricket.

The ICC, last season, had approved the organisers of running the first 10 overs format league in the world. Local and international players remain the main attraction of this league. Eoin Morgan-led Kerala Kings won the inaugural edition last year.

"This sanction from ICC for T10 League gives our partners, stakeholders and more importantly the players a much-needed boost. Having said that, it additionally gives us the responsibility to ensure we keep growing year-on-year and make this format globally acceptable," said Chairman, T10 League, Shaji Ul Mulk.

Board Member and Official Spokesperson, Emirates Cricket Board, Zayed Abbas, said, "We shared the vision and belief of the organisers in this format. From here on, it is important to grow the league and the format and ensure that players, teams and the fans get an experience to remember."

The second edition of the tournament will be a 10-day cricket extravaganza starting November 23 with the player draft slated for September.

Afghanistan spin wizard Rashid Khan (Maratha Arabians), Pakistan's Shahid Afridi (Pakhtoons), Shoaib Malik (Punjabi Legends), England's Eoin Morgan (Kerala Kings), New Zealand's Brendon McCullum (Rajputs), West Indies' Sunil Narine (Bengal Tigers), Darren Sammy (Northern Warriors), Australia's Shane Watson (Karachians) have already been roped in as Icon players for their respective franchises.

"The sanction from the ICC will only add further shine to the global appeal of the event. We believe that value creation for the new teams will see a positive growth from year one. From a four-day league to a ten-day league with more teams and a larger pool of international players is a testament of faith shown by fans and stakeholders," said President, T10 League, Salman Iqbal.