The former Indian skipper Mohammed Azharuddin has been named as the brand ambassador of the Abu Dhabi T10 franchise Bangla Tigers for the upcoming season of the tournament. The forthcoming edition is scheduled to commence after the T20 World Cup 2021, from November 19 to December 4.
Reacting to the same, Azharuddin said: “It is terrific to be associated with an exciting franchise like Bangla Tigers. We have some exciting players in the line-up, who I am sure are keen to stamp their authority on the tournament. I am thankful to Yasin Bhai (Bangla Tigers owner Mohammad Yasin Chowdhury) for thinking about me and scripting this association. I am looking forward to meeting up and working with everyone.”
Faf du Plessis has been named as the icon player by the Bangla Tigers. The former South African captain was seen in tremendous form in the recently concluded Indian Premier League 2021. Plessis’ franchise Chennai Super Kings registered their four IPL title.
Apart from the protea, the other icon players are Jason Roy for Delhi Bulls, Chris Jordan for Northern Warrior, Andre Russell for Deccan Gladiators, Nicholas Pooran for Maratha Arabians and Liam Livingstone for Team Abu Dhabi.
Nicholas Pooran, Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Ravi Rampaul, Darren Bravo, Akeal Hosein and Andre Fletcher from West Indies will be seen in action in the competition along with players from England which includes Eoin Morgan, Moeen Ali, Chris Jordan, Reece Topley, Liam Livingstone, Tymal Mills, Adil Rashid and Jason Roy from England.
The fifth season of the Abu Dhabi T20 league will see an increased number of 90-minute matches played in the scheduled 15 days, instead of 10 days in the previous edition.
Shaji Ul Mulk, Chairman, TSM, the owner of the T10 League, had recently said, “It is indeed a matter of pride that a journey that started in 2017 with just four teams has now reached a stage whereby the tournament has become an important part of the world’s cricketing calendar,”
“It is most heartening to see the world’s top cricketers in this hugely popular format and upcoming cricketers seize the advantage of the platform to rub shoulders with the best in the business. In conjunction with ADC, we promise to conduct the tournament in this the UAE’s 50th anniversary year on an even larger scale and give our fans a truly befitting and exhilarating experience,” he added.
Pooran’s Northern Warriors won the previous edition of the tournament by beating the Delhi Bulls in the final to lift the trophy.