Through sterling performances in the ongoing Alubond Abu Dhabi T10 tournament, UAE cricketers have announced that they deserve to be considered to play in the reputed franchise-based leagues around the world like the Indian Premier League, Big Bash, and the Pakistan Super League

Waseem Muhammad

Ever since franchise cricket was introduced, teams never considered talented players in the UAE worthy to be playing in the reputed leagues worldwide. The only instance was when Chirag Suri was picked by Gujarat Lions for the 2017 IPL edition. Although he was selected into the team, he did not get to play any matches. However, the ongoing Alubond Abu Dhabi T10 tournament has shown that many UAE cricketers are worthy of playing in the different franchised-based leagues around the world.

Starting from Suri to Waseem Muhammad, Abdul Shakoor, Zahoor Khan, Sultan Ahmed, Shiraz Ahmed, and even18-year-old Alishan Sharafu, they have proved their worth. They have been playing their shots with such confidence in this edition that they have won praise from the legendary limited-over stars playing in this league.

Alishan Sharafu

Bowlers Zahoor Khan, Sultan Ahmed, Shiraz Ahmed, Rohan Mustafa, Ahmed Raza, and Junaid Siddique have shown that they are good enough to not only contain the run flow but also get timely breakthroughs. Zahoor had knocked at the doors of IPL last year when Mumbai Indians had shown an interest in him. So his performance in this T10 may get him a place in the next IPL. In fact, Zahoor and Sultan are worthy to be considered for the Pakistan Super League as well.

Waseem’s effort to equal the T10 record set by Chris Gayle and Mohammad Shahzad of scoring a half-century in just 12 balls is an achievement that is sure to make franchise teams have a look at this 26-year-old cricketer. To perform in such a manner without ever having had first-class cricket exposure is nothing but sheer natural talent. Be it Shakoor or Suri, their shots have thrashed bowling attacks, and that should be noticed by all franchise teams looking for attacking batsmen. On Wednesday, 18-year-old Alishan Sharafu, opening for Maratha Arabians against Team Abu Dhabi, displayed his huge potential as the team’s top scorer with a quick 33 runs. The confidence with which he executed the three sixes in that match proved that he can be groomed into a match-winner for franchise teams.

Maratha Arabians also gave an opportunity to a 16-year-old leg spinner Maroof Merchant on Wednesday against Team Abu Dhabi. Unfortunately, he had to face the wrath of a rampaging Chris Gayle on his debut. Then there are other youngsters like 19-year-old UAE Under-19 team captain Aryan Lakra, 18-year-old Vriitya Aravind, 20-year-old Karthik Meyiappan, and 19-year-old Ansh Tandon, all of whom are extremely talented and are part of the different teams in this T10 tournament. They all are worthy to be groomed by franchise teams into match winners.

The fourth edition of the Alubond Abu Dhabi T10 would surely have attracted the attention of many franchise talent hunters and it is likely that it will open the gates for many cricketers here to be part of some of the franchise-based leagues around the world soon. Alubond Abu Dhabi T10 has done yeoman service to UAE cricket because right from its inception their objective has been to promote talents in the UAE.

Credits: Krbuzz