Ganguly signs for Dubai-based MCL

Mumbai - Libra Legends announced as tournament’s first franchise

Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly on Monday signed up with the Masters Champions League (MCL), the first of its kind tournament in the UAE, aimed at giving retired cricketers a chance to take the field again. 
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). 
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. 
Meanwhile, MCL also announced their first franchise — Libra Legends during a function in Mumbai. While interacting with media after the franchise launch, Libra Legends’ co-owner Pooja Jhunjhunwala promised to gift the fans quality entertainment.
“We are privileged to have a player like Ganguly to join MCL,” she aded.
The league will feature only retired international players. Brain Lara, Adam Gilchrist, Wasim Akram, Virender Sehwag, and Jacques Kallis were first introduced as icon players when the league was announced in June. 

The matches will be held across the UAE in Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi’s Shaikh 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. 
The team, owned by Pooja Jhunjhunwala, Lalit Kiri and Hanwant Kahtri of Popcorn Sports & Entertainment Private Limited, is the first team to be unveiled for the league. Its jersey and logo was also unveiled. The MCL, a Twenty20 league planned for retired cricketers in the UAE next year, had got approval of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The players, who have officially retired from international cricket, will recreate their magic at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi’s Shaikh Zayed Cricket Stadium and Sharjah Cricket Stadium destinations which have previously hosted cricket tournaments including the IPL.
 

• Masters Champions League