India’s top business house Reliance have come on board to win a franchise in the newly announced United Arab Emirates professional T20 league which would have its first edition played out in 2022.
"We are extremely proud to have created a global franchise in Mumbai Indians, integrated with high values and ethos and our contribution to the Indian cricket ecosystem," Akash Ambani member of the Reliance family and owner of the Indian Premier League side Mumbai Indians said in a statement.
"We are equally confident of shaping another successful brand in the UAE and bringing in our experiences to benefit the growth of cricket in the UAE,” he further added.
UAE’s top cricket governing body, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) had announced earlier this year that their first professional T20 tournament will be played in 2022 and it would be played between six franchises based out of top six cities in the country.
ECB General Secretary Mubashir Usmani welcomed Mumbai Indians' association with the UAE T20 League. "The trust being shown by prominent business houses in the UAE T20 League is extremely encouraging," he said.
"We are pleased with RIL's association with the League as a franchise team owner. Having seen the professionalism in the operations of Mumbai Indians in the IPL, their success in putting together the most successful team in franchise cricket and the passion with which they pursue their goals, we are very confident that this association will be mutually beneficial for both RIL and the League and will support cricket development in UAE,” Usmani added.