Masters Champions League

Masters Champions League
Countries  United Arab Emirates
Administrator Emirates Cricket Board
Format Twenty20
First tournament 2016
Tournament format Round-robin and knockout
Number of teams 6
Current champion Gemini Arabians (1st title)
Most runs Kumar Sangakkara (Gemini Arabians) (386)
Most wickets Muttiah Muralitharan (Gemini Arabians) (15)
Website www.mcl2020.com

Masters Champions League (MCL) was a Twenty20 cricket league held in the United Arab Emirates and contested by former international cricketers. The inaugural season consisting of six teams was held in January and February 2016[1] and won by the Gemini Arabians.[2] The MCL has received a 10-year approval from the Emirates Cricket Board but faced difficulties before its first season over the status of "retired" international players who were still contracted to other domestic competitions,[3] as well as delays in player payments which almost led to players abandoning the tournament mid-season.[4]

History

The tournament was announced by the league's CEO Zafar Shah in June 2015.[5] Formed by Saim Malik, Chairman of GM Sports, it is a league for retired cricketers, some of whom have never played the Twenty20 format.[6][7]

MCL has generated support in the UAE, including the official approval from the Emirates Cricket Board. The company operates under the umbrella of the Grand Midwest Group and is a promoter of sports activities in the region.[8][9]

Player auction

Former South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis attracted the highest bid of US $175,000 at the first player auction and joined the Libra Legends franchise. Former Australia wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist was the second-highest signing, purchased by the Sagittarius Soldiers for $170,000. Other players with high bids included former England captain Paul Collingwood ($140,000), Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka ($120,000), West Indies' Brian Lara ($100,000) and Brett Lee of Australia ($100,000).

Teams

Team Captain Icon player
Libra Legends South Africa Jacques Kallis South Africa Jacques Kallis
Gemini Arabians India Virender Sehwag Sri Lanka Kumar Sangakkara
Sagittarius Strikers Australia Adam Gilchrist Sri Lanka Mahela Jayawardene
Virgo Super Kings South Africa Graeme Smith Australia Brett Lee
Capricorn Commanders England Paul Collingwood England Paul Collingwood
Leo Lions West Indies Cricket Board Brian Lara West Indies Cricket Board Brian Lara

Results

Year Final venue Final
Winner Result Runner-up
2016
Details		 Dubai International Cricket Stadium Gemini Arabians
130/7 (20 overs)		 Gemini Arabians won by 16 runs
scorecard		 Leo Lions
114 (19.3 overs)

MCL Governing Body

The MCL governing body includes 8 key people.[10]

Awards

Year Player of the final Player of the tournament Most runs Most wickets
2016 Naved-ul-Hasan (Gemini Arabians) Kumar Sangakkara (Gemini Arabians) Kumar Sangakkara (Gemini Arabians) (386) Muttiah Muralitharan (Gemini Arabians) (15)

See also

References

  1. ↑ "UAE to host T20 tournament for retired players". Cricinfo. Retrieved 2015-10-20.
  2. ↑ "Masters Champions League - Final". Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  3. ↑ Gollapudi, Nagraj; Farooq, Umar (21 January 2016). "ICC weighs in on MCL retirement issue". ESPN cricinfo. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  4. ↑ Dobell, George (3 February 2016). "Payment agreement saves Masters Champions League". ESPN cricinfo. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  5. ↑ name=launch>"UAE to host T20 tournament for retired players". Cricinfo. ESPN. 4 June 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  6. ↑ "All you need to know about Masters Champions League (MCL) T20". One India.
  7. ↑ "Interview with MCL Chairman Zafar Shah: 'Players like Wasim Akram, Brian Lara and Adam Gilchrist still have a lot to give'". In.News.
  8. ↑ name=launch>"UAE to host T20 tournament for retired players". Cricinfo. ESPN. 4 June 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  9. ↑ "All you need to know about Masters Champions League (MCL) T20". One India.
  10. ↑ "MCL". www.mcl2020.com. Retrieved 2015-10-20.
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