Last Updated on 11/09/2024 by Arun jain
The National Cricket League (NCL) has announced its official player draft for the upcoming season. The draft also includes the names of players from Team USA who recently registered a major victory in cricket history by defeating Pakistan in the T20 World Cup. This victory has generated new interest in cricket in America and has given these players prominence at the global level.
Based on the historic victory of Team USA, NCL plans to take cricket to new heights in America. The league will feature 84 players. 48 international celebrities and 36 American players and will be led by six franchise teams namely New York Lions CC, Dallas CC, Texas Gladiators CC, Chicago Cricket Club, Atlanta Kings CC, and Los Angeles Waves CC.
These teams will face off in the fast-paced Sixty Strikes format, a game-changer in cricket that will bring more exciting cricket to American audiences. The Sixty Strikes format is limited to just 60 balls, making every ball count. This condensed format makes the game more attractive to new fans while maintaining the competitiveness of cricket.
This season, NCL is bringing together world-renowned cricket stars like Zaheer Abbas, Wasim Akram, Dilip Vengsarkar, Sir Vivian Richards, Venkatesh Prasad, Sanath Jayasuriya, Moin Khan, and Blair Franklin. These cricket leaders will mentor and coach the next generation of players.
The league will also feature top players from around the world, including Shahid Afridi, Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik, Shakib Al Hasan, Andre Russell, Robin Uthappa, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Chris Lynn, Martin Guptill, and Angelo Mathews.
“NCL is bringing a new era of cricket to America, combining the passion of the game with the energy of events like Coachella,” said Arun Agarwal, President, National Cricket League. “Building on Team USA’s historic victories, our expanded league is bringing together great talent and unforgettable moments that will resonate with both old fans and new fans of cricket. This season aims to reinvent the game.”
NCL is not just about cricket, it is about entertainment. The season will kick off with a dhamakedaar performance by Bollywood superstar Mika Singh, and every day of the tournament will feature live performances from other Bollywood stars. This amalgamation of cricket and entertainment will offer a unique experience, blending music, performance and sport.
“Having come to play exhibition cricket in the US as part of Sir Garfield Sobers’ iconic Rest of the World team in the late 1970s, it’s heartening to see how the sport has progressed in the country,” said legendary cricket batsman Sunil Gavaskar. “Now it’s exciting to see how the National Cricket League is redefining cricket. It’s a chance for modern generations to see a game that will resonate with audiences in the US.”
“Cricket has been part of my career. It is extremely satisfying to see it take root and thrive in the US,” said former ICC CEO Aaron Lorgat. “The National Cricket League is not just growing the game, it is sharing the passion, stories and excitement of cricket with a new generation of fans.
Fans can check the complete list and details on (NCLCricket.com).
Special information:
Ticket Availability: 10 September 2024
Buy from: NCLCricket.com or SiTickets.com
Tournament Place: UT Dallas Cricket Stadium
Match dates: 4 to 14 October 2024
NCL has partnered with ESPN, Willow, Pluto TV, SKY, TNT and Fox Sports to bring live coverage to global viewers. In addition, NCL is working with UT Dallas to engage local communities and cricket enthusiasts.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)