Wasim Akram, Moin Khan to play tournament in Dubai

Wasim Akram is set to play alongside Moin Khan in the Dubai Super Sixes in October.

DUBAI: Eight top former cricketers are set to take part in the Dubai Super Sixes Corporate Cricket League from October 1 to 15 at Dubai Spots City International Cricket Stadium.

The tournament will feature Pakistan's legendary pacer Wasim Akram and wicket-keeper Moin Khan, gulfnews.com reported on Thursday.

Other players include South African all rounder Lance Klusener, Sri Lanka's Aravinda de Silva and Roshan Mahanama, and India's Vinod Kambli, Venkatesh Prasad and Rohan Gavaskar.

This will be the biggest sixes tournament in Dubai with 48 teams who have confirmed participation.

The Landmark Group and Crayons Communications are backing the event.

Vipen Sethi, Chief Executive Officer of the Landmark Group, said, "cricket appeals to a broad segment of the people in UAE and hence we decided to support this event" adding that "Sixes is short and sweet," and that they "are delighted to have got renowned cricketers to play alongside the teams that will make it to the quarterfinals."

As per the rules of the tournament, each participating team must comprise six players along with two substitutes. The organisers said they would provide five neutral fielders. The format requires each side to play a limited five overs to be completed in 30 minutes.

Arshad Zaheer, the Managing Director of Crayons Communications, said, "this format will be a permanent fixture of the Dubai cricket's sports calendar." He said that "the winning team can walk away with AED20,000 and we are delighted that some of the best cricketers have agreed to participate in our first ever attempt."

Ignite Sports Chief Executive Officer Atul Hegde, who initiated this format, said he was delighted with the response. As a result, the organisers were now planning to permit two teams under a wild card. "Due to huge response from Dubai we are now planning to take this event to Qatar, Singapore and Malaysia," Hegde said.

Akram is the ambassador for this event which is sponsored by Gulf Oil. Cricket fans will also get to see Klusener, who is hailed as one among the world's finest all-rounders.