Former Indian captain Dhoni advises T10 cricket league organisers on ball change….reports Asian Lite News
The owners and organizers of the T10 Cricket League to be held at the iconic Sharjah stadium have been unanimous in picking up the tips offered by former Indian captain M.S. Dhoni on further ensuring the success of this new and exciting format.
Dhoni was on a visit to Dubai last week to inaugurate the MS Dhoni Cricket Academy jointly launched by Parvez Khan’s Pacific Sports Club and Aarka Sports. MS Dhoni Cricket Academy will also expand to Ajman in partnership with Ajman Cricket club and receive full support from Ajman Cricket Council. EDEN GARDENS AJMAN, the international standard cricket ground in Ajman has also been offered to MS Dhoni Cricket Academy as their home ground to play matches.
During the course of the MS Dhoni Cricket Academy at Pacific Sports Club inauguration, Dhoni spent time with the Chairman of the T10 league, Shaji Ul Mulk and Board Member & co-owner of Maratha Arabians, Parvez Khan to share his views about the future of T10 and ways of improving the format.
One of the points discussed was the use of Pink Ball and the merit of using the same against the white ball. Dhoni suggested the white Kookaburra turf balls instead of the pink balls because the latter would be difficult to spot against the bright colors of the uniforms of the players and the depth and movements in the crowd. The white ball would stand out by contrast especially under the lights. This recommendation has been approved and the decision taken to stick with the white balls.
Mulk said: “We are pioneers blazing a new trail and we will take on board expert advice from an experienced legend like Dhoni if it means it makes for a better tournament. Our aim is to ensure T10 is a fixture on the global itinerary for cricket. As I have said, the ninety minute game brings it on par with all other top sports like soccer and hockey.”
In case of rain, the minimum number of overs to be bowled by both teams is 5 overs for a result. The Duckworth Lewis Method will be employed in deciding the score to be chased.
Sharjah, which holds the Guinness Book of Records for staging the maximum number of one dayers globally now becomes the host for the first time ever staging of this new limited over game. With big name players from around the world having been drafted into the six teams, the cricketing world is watching very closely to see if this is the way the game is going.
The fixtures for the four day-event have been drawn as given below along with the respective timings.
December 14, 2017
Opening Ceremony from 1800 hours
Bengal Tigers v Kerala Kings
Maratha Arabians v Pakhtoons
December 15, 2017
Bengal Tigers v Punjabi Legends from 1600 hours
Maratha Arabians v Team Sri Lanka from 1800 hours
Punjab Legends v Kerala Kings from 2000 hours
Pakhtoons v Team Sri Lanka from 2200 hours
December 16, 2017
Team 1 of Group A v Team 3 of Group B from 1600 hours
Team 3 of Group A v Team 1 of Group B from 1800 hours
Team 2 of Group A v Team 2 of Group B from 2000 hours
Bottom 2 Teams of both the groups combined will play off for the 5th and 6th place from 2200 hours
December 17, 2017
First Semi Finals – Team 1 overall v Team 4 overall – match starting at 1730 hours
Second Semi Finals – Team 2 overall v Team 3 overall
Finals
Followed by closing ceremony