Emirates Cricket Board announces domestic T20 competition for UAE, names it Premier League T20

The Emirates Cricket Board, the governing body of the game in the United Arab Emirates announced its inaugural T20 domestic tournament for the country which would be played in January-February this year. The announcement was made on Monday, August 2.

The mega cricketing event which would come into existence after the Indian Premier League and World T20 have taken place in 2021, has been named Premier League T20 or PL T20. The tournament will be played between six teams.

Releasing a statement in regard to the new league, the ECB said, "UAE's Inaugural Premier League T20 will be played across UAE in January and February 2022. The new six-team franchise-style league has been sanctioned by Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Emirates Cricket Board Chairman Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan.”

It has also been rumoured that Indian PremierLeague franchises would also be involved in owning the franchises based in various cities of UAE. The major players who have shown interest are the Shahrukh Khan-owned Knight Riders franchise and GMR, co-owners of Delhi Capitals.

The new league is being marked to have great foreign imports in the league and is also branding itself as the league that would have the most number of foreign players. "The hallmark of the new league is that it will have the highest number of international players in a squad. This unique aspect of the league will attract some of the biggest names in world cricket while also giving a platform and international exposure to upcoming players,” the ECB release said.

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Punjab Kings’ acquisition of CPL side St. Lucia, leads to name change from Zouks to Kings

The Caribbean Premier League franchise Saint Lucia Zouks have been renamed to Saint Lucia Kings to get it closer in recognition to its sister franchise in the Indian Premier League, the Punjab Kings. The team now also sports a new logo, totally different from the previous one. The team, in a media release, confirmed the news and wrote an explanation behind it. It said, "The new name and logo are consistent with the KPH Dream Cricket brand while still capturing the essence of Saint Lucia through the name and national colours of Saint Lucian Flag," the release said. KPH Dream Cricket Private Limited acquired the ownership rights of the franchise in 2020. It is the same company that owns the Punjab Kings in IPL and that franchise also changed its name from Kings XI Punjab to its current name of Punjab Kings before the start of the 2021 season. "The brand name and monogram, lion in the team's logo stand for exuberance. While the blue epitomises the sky and the sea, specifically the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea which encircle the country, the roaring lion monogram infuses vigour and vibrancy,” the release further added stating that the main identity of Saint Lucia as the country has been retained. Daren Sammy, the former St. Lucia captain who quit this year to become the mentor and Assistant Coach of the team while speaking on this occasion said, "I love the logo and I love the new name, and I truly hope that the name can inspire our players to play like the true Kings that we are.” Earlier, after IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals bought majority stakes in the Barbados based franchise of the CPL, its name was also changed to Brabadois Royals from Barbados Tridents. The 2021 edition of the CPL will take place between August 26 and September 15, at Warner Park in St Kitts & Nevis.

TNPL | Tiruppur Tamizhans vs Madurai Panthers: Where to watch Live, Probable XI, Fantasy XI

The Tamil Nadu Premier League is slowly but steadily leading towards its business end as things are getting heated up, the concerts are now having more meaning than ever before. In such conditions, two teams that have varying results in their last two encounters would come together to fight out and get as close as possible to the Playoffs qualification. IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans, who won their last game and are currently sitting at fifth place with similar points to fourth-placed Kovai Kings, would take on Siechem Madurai Panthers, who are seventh in the table and whose last game got abandoned due to rain. Thus it is a game of utmost interest for both the teams and more so for Madurai who would look to win and get into the qualification mix. Tiruppur Tamizhans vs Madurai Panthers: Match Details Match Number: 20 Date: Friday, August 01, 2021 Time: 7:30 PM Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai Pitch Report The Chennai pitch is wearing out slowly and high scoring games are becoming rare to find. Although with humidity and ample rain, some replenishing of the wear and tear is being done, even after being mostly optimistic, the wicket would remain slow and a tight match with scores in the range of 150-65 would be in the sight. Weather Report The sky would remain mostly cloudy, but there are not many chances of rain, in fact, that cloud is only going to add to humidity as the temperatures would remain in the mid-thirties throughout the duration of the game. The humidity will help the slower bowlers as not much dew would be found on the ground. Tiruppur Tamizhans Probable XI S Dinesh, S Siddharth, Tushar Raheja (wk), Maan Bafna, P Francis Rokins, Aswin Crist, M Rooban Raj, R Rajkumar, M Mohammed (c), Alliraj Karuppusamy, S Mohan Prasath Madurai Panthers Probable XI Arun Karthik, P Praveen Kumar (wk), B Anirudh Sita Ram, NS Chaturved (c), Jagatheesan Kousik, Sugenthiran, R Mithun, Kiran Akash, V Gowtham, R Silambarasan, Aushik Srinivas Fantasy XI Arun Karthik, S Dinesh, B Anirudh Sita Ram, P Francis Rokins, NS Chaturved, Jagatheesan Kousik, Maan Bafna, M Mohammed, Kiran Akash, R Silambarasan, Aswin Crist Captain Jagatheesan Kousik Vice-Captain M Mohammed

WI vs PAK | Third T20I gets washed out

The third T20i match between West Indies and Pakistan got washed due to rain at Providence Stadium in Guyana. The match started on time and West Indies, after winning the toss decided to bat first. However, only after 1.2 overs, the rain came and never went away until the pictures of the ground becoming a mini pond went viral on the internet. West Indies were batting well at 15-0 with both Chris Gayle and Andre Fletcher hitting great shops of the bowling of Mohammad Hafeez and Mohammad Wasim Jr. With the third and first match washed out and the series being reduced to only four matches earlier, there is just one game remaining for the hosts to make amends as Pakistan lead 1-0 having on the second game by seven runs in a close affair. The fourth game is scheduled to take place on August 3 at the same venue and with the weather conditions currently prevailing in the Caribbean sea, there would be no surprise if that match also comes under the radar of the rain gods. After the fourth match, both teams will move to Jamaica for the two-match Test series which will take place at Sabina Park in Kingston. The first Test begins on August 12.

ENG vs IND | Ollie pope blames T20 Blast scheduling for his injury woes

England batsman Ollie Pope is suffering from a grade three quadriceps tear which he picked up during the T20 Blast. He might miss the first Test against India if not declared fit and the Surrey player is worried about it. The right-handed batsmen blamed the tight scheduling of the T20 Blast games in which he had to play five games in just eight days, and the top of which he was returning after 10-day isolation being a close contact of someone who had tested Covid positive. "With the schedule, I think we played five T20s in seven [eight] days after I had to do 10 days sitting on the couch isolating as a close contact. Going from 10 days on a couch to five games in seven days is always going to provide a little risk. It is frustrating but hopefully, I'll sort this quad out and that's the end of it,” Pope was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo. Talking about his current situation and whether he will be able to take part in the first Test starting Thursday, August 4th, Pope said, "I've been hitting a lot of balls just trying to get as much running as I can do. I guess in a day or two a decision will be made.” "I'm hopeful, but I guess it's up to physios and management to manage the risk of it,” he added. The 23-year-old is even ready to miss the first game so that he can be available for the rest of the four matches. “It's just trying to make sure if I did play this one there's not going to be an issue for the next four if selected,” said Pope. Now that Ben Stokes is not available, the English middle order needs stability and Pope is a key member in consideration for that number five spot.