Explosive batting, plenty of sixes, thrilling run-outs, brilliant fielding and plenty of fun can be expected when retired players get together for a cricket bash in Doha from Feb 27 to Mar 8.
Pakistani superstar Shahid Afridi, cricket’s own folk hero, and the game’s biggest box office batsman Chris Gayle of the West Indies, will lock horns in the first edition of the Legends League Cricket (LLC) to be played in Qatar from Feb 27 to Mar 8, 2023. This was announced by Qatar Cricket Association (QCA).
Afridi, coined ‘Boom Boom Afridi’ by LLC Commissioner Ravi Shastri for his explosive sixes, and Gayle will be joined by retired players namely former India skipper Gautam Gambhir, swing bowler Irfan Pathan, pace ace from Pakistan Shoaib Akhtar, Australia’s Brett Lee, big-hitting opener Lendl Simmons of the West Indies and two-time World Cup winner Shane Watson of Australia.
QCA President Sheikh Abdulaziz Bin Saoud Al Thani said in an official statement: “We, at Qatar Cricket Association, feel elated to host Legends League Cricket’s second season in Doha. We always strive for excellence in sport and are trying to make Qatar a sport-friendly destination. After FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Legends League Cricket was a natural choice for us in cricket, with the biggest of legends playing in the league. We look forward to having a wonderful tournament and making Doha a go-to cricket destination.”
Afridi said in a statement released by QCA: “It will be fun to play with old mates and rivals. I am looking forward to a competitive season.” The world’s highest wicket-taker Muthiah Muralitharann said in another statement: “I look forward to playing another season with even more enthusiasm and fun.”
Legends League Cricket Masters is the international league from the house of Legends League Cricket comprising three teams, namely India Maharajas, Asia Lions and World Giants. A total of 8 matches have been scheduled at the Asian Town Cricket Stadium, a venue that has hosted a number of international matches involving Afghanistan and the Netherlands in the men’s game. Pakistan’s women’s team and that of South Africa have also played at this venue over the years. In recent times, QCA has also hosted a number of international events including the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers, the ACC Twenty20 Cup and the ACC Women’s Twenty20 Cup.
“Players like Sehwag, Harbhajan, Muralitharan and Chris Gayle, you can see them playing seriously in one country and at different venues. It has been fabulous,” said LLC Commissioner Shastri. “They have taken this league to a different level and we have to thank them for this because the reach of this series now is unbelievable. When you have legends like Shane Watson, Ross Taylor, the Pathan brothers, Gambhir and Sehwag, It’s tremendous fun,” he added in a video released by LLC.
New Zealand’s retired pacer Mitchell McClenaghan tweeted after his participation at the previous edition held in India: “Thoroughly enjoyed the @llct20 tournament this year – was great to get around a lot of the greats of the game – have some fun but play some awesome cricket too! LOVED IT!”
Sri Lanka’s Farveez Maharoof tweeted: “Was a great honor playing alongside many greats & most importantly winning the tournament for capitals. Had a fab time in the @llct20 which was organized very well! Looking forward to the next few days to recharge & recover from the injury I picked up!”
Ireland’s top all-rounder Kevin O’Brien said in a tweet: “What an amazing few weeks in #IncredibleIndia. Thanks to all the fans who came to the games, the @llct20 organisers and of course the super management team and players. Until next year.”
Ticket details and match updates will be shared by QCA closer to the action day.
Qatar Cricket Association
The game of cricket became popular way back in Doha in 1977 in the parking lot of the Khalifa International Stadium. At the time only 8 teams featured in the Qatar National League. In 1980, 12 major teams decided to form the Qatar Cricket Association (QCA) under the Presidency of Mr. M.A. Shahid, and Late Mr. Saifuddin Khalid, as its General Secretary.
Cricket popularity soared with each passing day and the game developed quickly through the contributions of the business communities in the country. The QCA President and players decided to form a council under the umbrella of the Qatar Cricket Association in 1987. The prime objective was to improve the level of cricket by bringing it to a national level and to gain recognition of the local sport controlling body by aligning QCA with the local clubs.
The QCA, under the leadership of Mr. M.A. Shahid, quickly evolved and expanded. With the sincere efforts of the President, H.E. Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassem Bin Jabor Al Thani consented to become its Chairman and Mr. Fahad Hussain Al Fardan as Vice Chairman.
His Excellency the Chairman made a tremendous contribution to cricket’s development by setting up two additional grounds outside the Khalifa International Stadium bringing the total number of grounds over there to seven. In 1996, the QCA was given legal authority by the Youth and Sport General Authority (YASA) through Resolution No. 13/1996 issued by H.E. the President of YASA. As per the resolution, the QCA Executive Board was formed with H.E. Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, State of Qatar, as its Chairman.
Cricket across schools in Qatar progressed rather rapidly. The game is played in accordance with the regulations of the International Cricket Council (ICC). The QCA was accepted as an Affiliate Member of the ICC in June 1999. The QCA was also accepted as an Associate Member of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) soon afterwards.
His Excellency the Chairman, keeping an eye on the growing interest in cricket among the residents, allowed a ground near the Doha Golf Course for use of league matches and other annual fixtures.
QCA has been associated with the Qatar Olympic Committee who also make arrangements to send Qatar’s national teams in various age brackets to participate in cricket tournaments organized by the Asian Cricket Council. The QCA is receiving training/coaching facilities from the Asian Cricket Council. QCA now has around 20 qualified umpires and 12 coaches.
The QCA has formed national teams meeting the criteria of the ICC and ACC through schools cricket to form Under-15, Under-17, Under-19 teams and subsequently the national squad. These national teams have participated in all the tournaments organized by the ACC and the ICC. Qatar won the Under-15 ACC Challenge Cup in 2007.
In 2007, QCA generated a huge amount of interest among girls and the women’s game was launched with a lot of fanfare among the residents. Cricket became popular among women and the Qatar national squad featured in the ACC Under-19 tournament in Dec 2008 when they finished an impressive 5th out of 12 teams.
