Masters Champions League (MCL) is a Twenty20 tournament with six teams participating in its inaugural edition. A total of 90 players are set to play in the league and their retirement from international cricket across formats is a must criterion of entering the T20 league. The MCL has received a 10-year approval from the Emirates Cricket Board, and inaugural season of the tournament will take place over two weeks in Dubai and Sharjah. The six teams featuring in MCL are Libra Legends, Gemini Arabians, Sagittarius Strikers, Virgo Super Kings, Capricorn Commanders and Leo Lions. The big names that have been chosen to lead their respective sides are Daniel Vettori, Jacques Kallis, Virender Sehwag, Brian Lara, Paul Collingwood Graeme Smith. READ: Graeme Smith: MCL ideal platform for international comeback
Recently, former South Africa skipper Graeme Smith had hinted at a possible return to international cricket following South Africa’s drubbing in India. He said that the MCL could be the ideal platform for him to make a comeback.” I am happy with where I am in life, but if the tournament does go well, I enjoy it again and play well, I will definitely consider it. Right now I think it would be a brave answer for me to say, ‘Yes’. I want to do as well as possible,” Smith who will lead MCL’s Virgo Supers Kings said.
Ten Sports, PTV, Geo Super, SuperSport and Sportsmax were announced as the global broadcasters for the first edition of MCL. The first match of Oxigen MCL, between Libra Legends and Gemini Arabians, will be played on 28 January in Dubai.