Published: May 29, 2017, 12:40 PM (IST)
Edited: May 29, 2017, 12:40 PM (IST)
International cricketers like Babar Azam, Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal, Tamim Iqbal and Hamilton Masakadza went under the hammer in the highest-profile auction yet for Afghanistan‘s domestic Twenty20 (T20) league, the Shpageeza Cricket League (SCL), in Kabul on May 25, Thursday. But despite having players from various nations, Afghanistan’s all-rounder Gulbadin Naib was the most-expensive buy as he was bought by Boost Defenders for USD 108,000. The Shpageeza Cricket League has a total of six teams – Band-e-Amir Dragons, Mis Ainak Knights, Kabul Eagles, Speenghar Tigers and Amo Sharks including Boost Defenders and all are owned by Afghanistan’s leading business groups.
The SCL will be entering its fifth edition in 2017 and the tournament will be held in Kabul for 10 days. “All matches will be held in Kabul, between July 18 and July 28,” Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) CEO Shafiq Stanikzai was quoted as saying in an ESPNcricinfo report. “The ICC has sanctioned this event and is sending its own match referee to oversee the tournament. In addition, we will have one on-field umpire from the ICC panel,” he further said.
Apart from Naib, Pakistan pacers Sohail Tanvir and Rumman Raees were also amongst the expensive buys. Tanvir was purchased by Band-e-Amir Dragons while Raees was bought by Boost Defenders with both their price ranging in about USD 105,000 approx.
Other international players that caught the eye were Bangladesh’s Imrul Kayes and Zimbabwe’s Sean Williams. But amidst all these negotiations, what grabbed the attention was Pakistan’s former captain Salman Butt going unsold despite having featured in the tournament in 2016.
Afghanistan cricket has been surging since past one year or so. After putting up an impressive display against Ireland in Greater NOIDA earlier this year, Afghanistan’s spinner Rashid Khan and all-rounder Mohammad Nabi took the cricketing world by storm in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017. Both Rashid and Nabi played for 2016 champions Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), wherein Rashid was amongst the most consistent players of IPL 2017 featuring in all the games for his franchise.
Banking on impressive performances over a period of time, Afghanistan cricket has grabbed the limelight and ACB Chairman Atif Mashal is hoping the T20 league to gain new heights this season. “This tournament will be a mega-hit and will take Afghanistan cricket to new heights. This tournament will prove that we are the new cricketing force in the world,” Mashal said.
