Kashmir Life Desk
Srinagar
Kashmir has something to cheer for this winter. The second edition of the Kashmir Super League (KSL) – Dubai is set to begin tomorrow at Ajman Cricket Council ground in United Arab Emirates (UAE).
After a successful first edition last year, the stage is set for the second edition of KSL.
Kashmiri diaspora living in UAE last year organized the event, a first of its kind cricket tournament in Dubai. It was for the first time that the cricketers from Kashmir got such an exposure at a mass level.
The cricket lovers say that organising such a T20 Cricket League is like recreating the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and Indian Premier League (IPL) moments by Kashmiris, far away from home in Dubai.
The organizers have been promoting event in a big way on social media with morale boosting messages from some of the big guns of World cricket like, Pakistan cricket team captain Misbah ul Haq, former speedster Shoaib Akhtar also known as Rawalpindi Express, Asad Shafiq, Suhail Tanveer, Abdur Rehman, Fawad Alam among others.
In his message, Shoiab Akhtar wished “Rajbagh Royals good luck and best wishes”. Another former Pakistani cricketer Yasir Hameed wished KSL a good luck and extended his support to Rajbagh Royals as well.
The owner of Peshawar Zalmi, one of the franchises of Pakistan Super League also extended his best wishes to the league. In his message, Javed Afridi said “it is my wish to see Kashmiris successfully organizing such an event and the KSL is nothing less than a dream come true for me”.
Initially league involved 12 franchisee teams named after local areas of Kashmir. However, with number of players going unsold, organizers added two more franchisees this season. Apart from the Kashmiris settled in UAE, event would also see some of the Kashmiri players coming from Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The event has generated quite a buzz among Kashmiris in most parts of Middle East.
“The inaugural season was huge success and we are taking that forward this season by introducing some new features and attractions. Such is the excitement among players that cricketers who are coming from outside UAE have scheduled their travel plans according to the matches. This season number of teams in league would be 14 instead of original 12,” one of the organizers told Kashmir Life.
The event would be sponsored by Power Solutions Industries owner Sajad Shawl while as each franchisee has its own sponsor.
The teams of the KSL-Dubai are Hokarsar Rangers, Khanqah Hamadans, Lalbazar Lions, Lalchowk Leopards, Nowhatta Rebels, Rajbagh Royals, RazayKadal Super Heroes, Safakadal Stars, Soura Qalanders, Srinagar Sultans, Pahalgam Panthers, Manasbal Mavericks and Buherkadal Badshah.
Last year the title was clinched by Safakadal stars.
