The Knight Riders Group has secured rights for a franchise in the upcoming UAE T20 League.
The entity that backs the Indian Premier League (IPL) team, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has obtained the rights to own and operate the Abu Dhabi franchise. The newly obtained franchise by the Knight Riders Group has been named Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR) and will be a major inclusion in the UAE-based T20 League.
The flagship competition is expected to attract some of the finest players from across the globe.
After owning the popular KKR in the IPL and the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), this would be the group’s fourth franchise. The Knight Riders Group has also bought the Los Angeles franchise in Major League Cricket (MLC) in the United States.
“For several years now, we have been expanding the Knight Riders brand globally and closely watching the potential for T20 cricket in the UAE. We are excited about becoming part of UAE’s T20 League, which no doubt will become hugely successful,” said the franchise owner and the Bollywood star, Shah Rukh Khan.
Khalid Al Zarooni, UAE T20 League chairman, said, “The commitment to grow the T20 format and the expertise gathered by the Knight Riders Group, through their involvement in franchise cricket across the world, is undisputed.
“We are exceptionally pleased with their foresight to join forces with the UAE’s T20 League and firmly believe it will elevate the reputation, and professionalism of the League throughout the cricket community.”
“We feel fortunate to have been consistently recognized as a global brand in T20 cricket. As T20 cricket expands around the world, we are flattered by the regular invitations to play a major role in growing the sport across the world. We have had a keen interest in the developments in the UAE and our expansion is consistent with our long-term strategy,” said, Venky Mysore, CEO of Kolkata Knight Riders.