Ajman T10 Talent Hunt League: A unique domestic tournament launched

By K.R. Nayar

Ten teams to compete from November 30 to December 4 at Eden Gardens Ajman. Top performers from this league will be referred to the Players Management Council of the Abu Dhabi T10’s fourth edition to held from January 28 to February 6, 2021

Ajman T10 Talent Hunt League trophy launch 

Close on heels to the resounding success of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the UAE, a unique domestic cricket tournament – the Ajman T10 Talent Hunt League, with a vision to spot talent, will commence from November 30 at the Eden Garden Ajman Ground.
This tournament is aimed at unearthing talented cricketers for an opportunity to be included in the franchise teams for the Abu Dhabi T10 scheduled from January 28 to February 6, 2021. The trophy was unveiled aboard a cruise boat ' on the night of Wednesday, November 18, 2020, in the presence of all the participating team representatives and budding cricketers with motivating messages from International cricketers and renowned coaches like Saqlain Mushtaq and Lalchand Rajput. 
Ajman T10 Talent Hunt League will be contested by 10 teams. A draw was held and the teams divided into two groups of five squads each. This league has Pacific Group as title sponsors and will be held under the patronage of the T10 Sports Management FZE under the auspices of the Ajman Cricket Council. This unique event has attracted support sponsors such as Oasis Water, Glory Energy Drink, Caprice Watches, Star Lights, Kattan Tourism and Karag Rigag.
The architects of this tournament are Mahmood Merchant, Khalil Goltay, and former UAE cricketer and coach Shahzad Altaf.  Commenting on the tournament, Merchant said: “Ten teams will compete in this tournament. The opening of this tournament will be held on November 30 at 7 pm, followed by the first match at 8 pm. The tournament will follow the T10 match duration of 90 minutes per match with the second match to be held from 10 pm. A total of 23 matches will be staged. On December 1, 2, and 3, six matches will be held every day, for a total of 18 matches during those three days. The semifinal and final to be held on December 4th.”
The ten teams pooled into two groups are:

Group A: Inter Marine Group, Brother Gas, GFC Investment, Karwan Strikers, Pacific Goltay

 Group B: Golden Falcon, Atlas Foundation, Kings Academy, Team MGM, Orakzai Warriors.

"Parvez Khan, chairman of Pacific Group wanted the Pacific Goltay team to be made up of budding cricketers from the UAE. This tournament is meant for cricketers to showcase their skills and thus earn an opportunity to play alongside international cricketers who will be here to play in the Abu Dhabi T10,” added Merchant.
Promising cricketers like Ali Shan Sharafu, Vriitya Aravind, Maroof Mahmood Merchant, and Fahad Nawaz will be playing for Pacific Goltay, while the UAE Under-19 captain Aryan Lakra will play for Kings Academy team. All these budding cricketers and UAE player Rameez Shahzad attended the launch on Wednesday.



Through a video message, Saqlain Mushtaq, who is now the Head of International Player Development at Pakistan Cricket Board’s High-Performance Centre, said: “Organisers of this tournament will surely find some diamonds. Look after them, polish them, and then develop them to become world class players.”


Lalchand Rajput noted that “It is a very good initiative for domestic talent to be showcased. As being coaches of one of the T10 franchises I shall be keeping a close watch on the top performers of this tournament. Play well and good luck.”
Commenting on the main focus of the tournament, Merchant said: “We are thankful to Ajman Cricket Council for backing this league. We will be presenting a list of top performers from this league to Charlie Austin, Head of the Players Management Council of the Abu Dhabi T10, who can then offer the players to the different franchises.”
In the 2019 edition of Abu Dhabi T10, a few UAE cricketers had produced sterling performances alongside top international cricketers.

 

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