Performance in the Abu Dhabi T10 League lifts UAE cricketers into the Pakistan Super League

 By K.R. Nayar

Hard hitter Waseem Muhammad has been picked for Multan Sultans while left-arm spinner Sultan Ahmed has been included in the Lahore Qalandars team. Waseem caught the attention of the cricket fraternity while playing for Northern Warriors in the fourth Abu Dhabi T10 while Sultan bowled brilliantly for Qalandars in the event. They carried their form into the Emirates D10 tournament too.

Sultan Ahmed 

The Abu Dhabi T10 League has lifted UAE cricketers into the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The sixth edition of the PSL that will be held in the UAE in the first week of June is likely to include at least four UAE players who sparkled in the fourth edition of the Alubond Abu Dhabi T10 League. The six representatives of the PSL teams who met on Saturday picked 12 new players for the PSL, and that includes UAE’s hard-hitting opener Waseem and left-arm spinner Sultan Ahmed.  

Waseem Muhammad caught the attention of international cricketers and legends of the game through his whirlwind knocks for Northern Warriors in the Abu Dhabi T10 League. He also carried his form into the Emirates D10 tournament. Sultan had bowled brilliantly for the Qalandars team bagging the wickets of many legendary batsmen. Waseem has been picked by Multan Sultans while Sultan Ahmed has been included in the Lahore Qalandars team. Usman Khan, who was recently in action for Fujairah in the Emirates D10, was already selected by Quetta Gladiators that will be captained by Sarfaraz Ahmed.

Shaji UI Mulk

Speaking to krbuzz.blogspot.com  Shaji Ul Mulk, Chairman and founder of the Abu Dhabi T10 League, said: “The news of UAE cricketers who played brilliantly in the T10 being spotted by the PSL and selected to play in their sixth edition is special. It is a great feeling that we could, through the T10 tournament, contribute to the growth of UAE’s domestic cricket by providing the stage for cricketers to excel and get picked to play in such a reputed league like the PSL.”

When krbuzz.blogspot.com contacted Sultan Ahmed, he said: “I am so thrilled that the Qalandars have considered me to be part of their family in the PSL. It was the Qalandars team that gave me the opportunity to excel in the T10 tournament and help me improve as a bowler. For me, playing in the PSL will be a dream come true. I thank the entire Qalandars family for the recognition and confidence in me. This opportunity will boost my confidence and help me improve further as a cricketer.” Incidentally, Sultan Ahmed replaces Joe Burns in the Lahore Qalandars team.

Waseem Muhammad 

Waseem, who emerged as the UAE player of the tournament in the fourth edition of the Abu Dhabi T10, said: “My aim is to create a huge impact in international cricket by exhibiting my skills. Playing alongside the top PSL players will be a big boost and help me improve further as a player. I am thankful to Multan Sultans for picking me. This is a huge honour and recognition and will boost my confidence as a player.”

The fact that UAE players who excelled in the fourth edition of the Abu Dhabi 10 are being picked for the PSL will further lift the profile of this event. The fifth edition of Abu Dhabi T10 is scheduled to begin from November 19 to December 4, 2021, and will continue as the gateway for cricketers to play for franchise leagues around the world as well as international cricket. Many of the UAE players who had excelled in the Abu Dhabi T10 had earlier got picked for the Global T20 tournament in Canada in 2019. UAE player Zahoor Khan had narrowly missed being picked for the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the 2020 edition after Chirag Suri was picked in 2017. UAE pacer Junaid Siddique, who has repeatedly won matches for Northern Warriors in the Abu Dhabi T10, is another top performer who is on the verge of being picked for the PSL.

West Indies stars Shimron Hetmyer and Johnson Charles have been recommended as replacement picks by Multan Sultans while Qalandars has picked Tim David of Singapore too. Lahore Qalandars will soon announce their replacement for Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan.

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