Three-day Abu Dhabi T20 heralds dawn of a new era

Abu Dhabi - Matt Boucher, acting chief executive officer of Abu Dhabi Cricket, said hosting the tournament at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium is a major milestone

The three-day Abu Dhabi T20 - capital's first-ever owned cricket tournament - will see six international challengers fight for supremacy.
Matt Boucher, acting chief executive officer of Abu Dhabi Cricket, said hosting the tournament at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium is a major milestone.
"It's time to move ahead from just hosting events run by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) or Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI). And we know what we are doing. When we were hosting PCB or BCCI events the marketing, promotion is not ours and we are paid a budget to run that event on their behalf."
He said the tournament is held following the footprints of the Fifa Club World Cup.
"We wanted to go with six international franchises from six different areas of the world. We want to create some credibility with international teams. We didn't want to become another franchise-bid tournament. There is another one starting in few days - the Afghanistan Premier League. We wanted to follow something on the lines of Fifa Club World Cup where international teams are invited to Abu Dhabi and the prize money helps, of course," he said and noted the overall prize money is $150,000.
He said in future there will be a team owned by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Abu Dhabi Cricket.
"It will be a stepping stone for boys at Zayed Cricket Academy to make it to the UAE side."
Abu Dhabi Cricket will get feedback from participating teams - Auckland Aces from New Zealand, Lahore Qalandars from Pakistan, Hobart Hurricanes from Australia, Yorkshire Vikings from the UK, Boost Defenders from Afghanistan and Multiply Titans from South Africa - and improve the show next year.
Multiply Titans skipper Albie Morkel said the team was well-balanced but still offered a great opportunity for domestic players to see where they stood before the season started.
"This concept is similar to the Champions League and hopefully this will grow into a much bigger tournament. It is very important for world cricket as a lot of guys can put their hands up in the leagues and good for franchise cricket around the world."
Steven Patterson of Yorkshire Vikings said the team having played lots of cricket was in good shape.
"We have three or four lads who have played for England and they will be desperate to show why they are an international cricketer."
Colin Ingram, captain of Boost Defenders, said the boys including Rashid Khan are ready for any challenge. "It's very exciting and good opportunity with many international guys wanting to prove themselves and also exciting times for some of the Afghan guys to play against different teams."
Auckland Aces skipper Craig Cachopa said the team lacked big names but was not short of talent.
"It's very exciting to come from New Zealand and play against teams from different countries and test ourselves against good quality overseas opposition with players like Colin Ingram and Albie Morkel. We don't have any big name players but I know we got a very capable squad and hopefully create a few surprises to show what we have got."
Hobart Hurricanes skipper Charles Wakim said the tournament was a good chance to 'dust out the cobwebs' and get into action. "We have a few players who were in the Big Bash. This tournament gives a really good gauge of the team on where we need to improve."
Matches will be shown live on OSN and will be broadcasted in some 20-25 countries.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com