The Abu Dhabi T10 League 2019 will be an eight-team affair with Team Abu Dhabi unveiled as the newest team for the upcoming tournament.
England’s 2019 World Cup winning coach Trevor Bayliss has been confirmed to take charge of the Abu Dhabi outfit with Moeen Ali set to join him as the side’s icon player.
The already star-studded line-up was bolstered even further in Wednesday’s player draft for the 2019 edition, with Pakistan pace ace Mohammed Amir becoming the side’s first pick.
The upcoming edition will be the third season of the T10 League which was previously held in Sharjah. The tournament moves to Abu Dhabi for the next five years after their organisers signed a five-year agreement with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
The profile of the league has grown exponentially in recent days with former England coach Andy Flower being roped in as the coach of Maratha Arabians.
Some of the big names who will turn up for the 2019 edition include Andre Russell, Eoin Morgan, Shoaib Malik, Hashim Amla, Kieron Pollard and Shane Watson.
“The fact that the government of Abu Dhabi has supported this event with a five-year agreement means it’s already bigger,” T10 chairman Shaji Ul Mulk was quoted as saying by The National.
“There is greater credibility and greater responsibility that comes with it.
“This year almost 500 players signed up for the player draft. The league is already much bigger than last year. It’s all about consolidating the position and delivering a product of the highest quality.”
The vast array of stars and internationals went under the hammer in the player draft on Wednesday with Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichhane being picked by Karnataka Tuskers.
Pakistan veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik was roped in by Delhi Bulls while his compatriot Mohammad Irfan went the way of Maratha Arabians. Windies all-rounder Pollard was snapped up by Deccan Gladiators while rising England star Tom Banton will turn out for Team Abu Dhabi in what is becoming a formidable English contingent for the newest outfit.
The 2019 edition is set to take place at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi between November 15 and 24.
