Libra Legends team for Masters Champions League launched

The Libra Legends franchise who will play in the Masters Champions League (MCL) cricket in United Arab Emirates in 2016 was launched at a gala ceremony here on Monday.

The team, owned by Pooja Jhunjhunwala, Lalit Kiri and Hanwant Kahtri is the first team to be unveiled for the league.

The MCL, which will feature a total of six teams playing in the Twenty20 format, has already got the approval from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The league will feature only retired international players. Brain Lara, Adam Gilchrist, Wasim Akram, Virender Sehwag, and Jacques Kallis have been signed up as 'icons' so far.

It was announced during the programme that former India skipper Sourav Ganguly will play in the MCL.

"Since it is first team to be unveiled, we are not leaving any stones unturned. We ensure that the name, jersey and logo will blow the audience away. We are looking forward to have the best cricketers in the team and waiting to set the pitch on fire," co-owner Jhunjhunwala said.

This first edition is slated to start on January 28 next year, and will go on till February 14. The six teams will accommodate a total of 90 players (15 members per squad) which will entirely be held in different stadia across the UAE.

The matches will be held across the UAE in Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium and Sharjah Cricket Stadium -- destinations which have previously hosted cricket tournaments including the Indian Premier League, as well as One-Day Internationals, T20 and several Test matches.