Wasim Akram named brand ambassador for 10PL tournament in Sharjah

Sport360 staff 19:55 01/08/2017
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  • Former Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram was yesterday named as the brand ambassador of 10PL which will be played in the UAE later this year.

    The second edition of the week-long tennis-ball cricket competition will be held at Sharjah Cricket Stadium from 8-15 December.

    One of the sport’s greatest legends Akram, 51, played a key part for his national team, taking more than 900 international wickets in his 18-year career from 1985-2003.

    Akram said: “I am delighted to be the ambassador of the 10PL cricket tournament.

    “All of us in the subcontinent have grown up playing tennis ball cricket on the streets. Some of us have learnt key tricks that have helped us on the bigger stage as well. This tournament promises to be the perfect platform for raw talents to showcase what they are capable. I am really looking forward to this competition.”

    Abdul Latif Khan, chairman, Petromann Events, which is the brainchild of the tournament, is delighted to have Akram, a 1992 World Cup winner, on board.

    “It is an absolute honour to have Mr Akram as the brand ambassador of the Indian team,” he said.

    “In the coming days we will be unveiling a campaign with Mr Akram to further raise the profile of the tournament.”

    Last year’s edition attracted a total of 16 teams and there has already been a lot of demand for the 2017 tournament with nearly 40 sides expressing interest for the available 20 spots.

    The event is also expected to attract teams from a number of major corporate companies.

    Among the players who are expected to feature in the competition are two former Sri Lankan Test cricketers – Chamara Silva and Thilan Thushara.

    It would be the second time ex-internationals will play after former Pakistan wicket-keeper batsman Zulqarnain Haider participated in the inaugural tournament.

    With a prize fund of Dh250,000, Khan is confident this year’s competition will be even bigger than 2016.

    “This format is very popular in India & Middle East. Last year we showed that there had never been an event of this magnitude held anywhere in the world with such a huge prize money on offer,” he said.

    “I am confident that the second edition will reach even bigger heights.”

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