ICC approves T10 cricket league in Sharjah
What's the story
Cricket fans will witness the shortest format of the game in the United Arab Emirates after the ICC approved the second edition of T10 league in Sharjah.
This edition of T10 league will commence from November 23.
The eight-team affair will see participation of several big cricketers.
Pundits view this move by ICC as a bid to promote cricket.
2nd edition
T10 cricket league enters its 2nd edition
The first T10 cricket league was played in Sharjah, last year, with several former players taking the field.
It was a 4-day event and 6 teams participated in the same.
India's Virender Sehwag was a part of the league as well.
Current England skipper Eoin Morgan-led Kerala Kings won the title.
This time around, it is set to be a 10-day event.
Icon players
Know the players and their franchises
The player draft will happen in September 2018.
However, several iconic players have been already named by the franchises.
These players are as follows: Rashid Khan (Maratha Arabians), Shahid Afridi (Pakhtoons), Shoaib Malik (Punjabi Legends), Eoin Morgan (Kerala Kings), Brendon McCullum (Rajputs), Sunil Narine (Bengal Tigers), Darren Sammy (Northern Warriors) and Shane Watson (Karachians).
T10
T10 cricket to challenge Test and 50-over formats
Test cricket is facing an existential crisis, given the fall in viewership.
Further, players are choosing cash-rich T20 leagues over Test cricket and now T10 cricket could slowly see expansion.
The introduction of such leagues is seen as a step to promote the sport across non-cricketing nations.
It remains to be seen how the ICC works to keep 5-day format relevant.