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‘Prince of Kolkata’ for Dubai Twenty20

DUBAI - India’s former Test and One Day International (ODI) captain Sourav Ganguly is already primed to participate, and pummel opposing attacks, at next month’s Emirates Airline Twenty20 here.

‘The Prince of Kolkata’, 38, is among a host of big-name players in a star-studded Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) side that will compete at the event taking place at 7he Sevens cricket ground on April 1.

“It is an honour and a pleasure to represent MCC and I am absolutely delighted to have been invited to play for the club in the Emirates Airline Twenty20 competition,” the legendary left-hander, who has been hailed as India’s most successful Test skipper, said.

“I thoroughly enjoyed captaining the MCC side that took on the Pakistanis at Lord’s last summer and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to play in another talented MCC team.

“I am very much looking forward to continuing my relationship with MCC and play in this exciting new venture for the club.” Ganguly enjoyed a highly impressive one-day career with India, representing his native country in 311 ODIs and registering a commendable tally of 11,363 runs.

With that type of calibre in the XI, the MCC will certainly prove hard to overcome.

They shall be tackling county champions Nottinghamshire, Durham, Sussex and defending champions Fly Emirates XI in the Dubai tournament, which will also feature class cricketers like Steve Harmison, Simon Jones, Monty Panesar and Chris Read.

“It is a great honour to have Sourav Ganguly competing at the Emirates Airline Twenty20 and we are looking forward to welcoming this legend of the game to Dubai,” said tournament director Matthew Jackson.

“The Dubai crowds are certainly in for a treat with this kind of talent on display at 7he Sevens cricket ground.

“With the likes of Sourav in their line-up, the MCC side look to be strong contenders for the title.

“They certainly won’t have it all their own way, however, with some top-class cricketers and former internationals in the other teams as well.”

An U11 Kwik Cricket competition shall also run alongside the Emirates Airline Twenty20, allowing families and friends of the participating schoolchildren to come along, cheer them on and add to the festival atmosphere.

Tickets for the Emirates Airline Twenty20 on April are just Dh25, with U12 children gaining free admission (provided they are accompanied by a parent or guardian).

Tickets will be available from the gate at 7he Sevens ground, on the Dubai-Al Ain road, just beyond exit 29/30. More details can be had from Promoseven Sports Marketing on 04-3210008 or by logging on to: www.emiratest20.com