In a surprising turn of events, Pakistani cricketers Hammad Azam and Ehsan Adil have been picked up by Mumbai Indians’ team New York for the upcoming inaugural edition of the Major Cricket League (MLC) in the USA. The two players had reportedly shifted to the USA to pursue their cricket careers, but they now find themselves in the draft picks of one of the most successful franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
IPL announced their participation in the first-ever MLC through social media and revealed their draft picks in another post, which included the two Pakistani players. Hammad has represented Pakistan in 11 ODIs and five T20Is between 2011 and 2015, while Ehsan has played for Pakistan in three Tests and six ODIs, as well as in the ICC World Cup 2015.
Another Pakistani cricketer, Sami Aslam, who had moved to the USA in search of a cricket career, has also been picked up by Texas team in the MLC. The tournament will be a franchise-based one, which is expected to pave the way for the future of cricket in America. The USA has started investing in cricket, and this tournament will be a significant step towards shaping the sport’s future in the country.
The MLC will be the first-of-its-kind cricket tournament in America and will be played at Grand Prairie Stadium in Grand Prairie, Texas, near Dallas, from July 13 to 30. Six franchises will be participating in this tournament, including the Mumbai Indians, who have bought the New York franchise. Shahrukh Khan’s Kolkata Knight Riders have Los Angeles Knight Riders in the MLC, while the other franchises include Washington Freedom, San Francisco Unicorns, Seattle Orcas, and the Texas team (name not yet decided).
The inclusion of Pakistani cricketers in the MLC is a significant development for the sport in the USA, as it will not only provide an opportunity for the players to showcase their skills but also help in promoting the sport in the country. The tournament is expected to attract a lot of attention from cricket fans across the world, and the presence of established franchises like Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders will only add to the excitement.
