On Sunday, Pakistan cricket legend Shahid Afridi was announced as the latest Icon Player to join UAE T20x. After receiving an NOC from the Pakistan Cricket Board, Afridi has confirmed his involvement in the UAE’s first homegrown international T20 league – which will run from December 19th until January 11th.
Afridi becomes the fourth Player Icon to add his name to the UAE T20x roster, following the announcements of Eoin Morgan, David Miller and Andre Russell. Each of the cricketing superstars will now represent one of the five franchise teams set to take part in the league.
Commenting on Afridi’s involvement Salman Sarwar Butt, CEO of UAE T20x said: “As UAE T20x moves into the franchise tender phase, we are delighted to be able to announce that Shahid will be joining us as a Playing Icon. We’re confident that this will be an exciting revelation for both the franchisees bidding for a team and all the fans that are excited about an international tournament coming to the region.”
He added: “Shahid is a stellar addition to our ever-growing roster of players, which will become the most internationally representative of any franchise league in the market.”
Afridi bid goodbye to international cricket earlier this year.
Commenting on the news, Afridi said: “T20 is a format that I’ve always loved, and that I hope to continue playing. I have come across many T20 leagues in my career, and I can really say that UAE T20x brings something new and refreshing to the table.
“It has been created with the players and fans in mind before anything else, and it’s modelled to give players of all levels and from a variety of backgrounds the chance to compete in an extraordinary festival of cricket. It’s going to be very exciting for the fans, and I’m glad I get to be a part of it.”