Africa-Press – Tanzania. TEN overs cricket league opens shootout at Leaders Club oval in Dar es Salaam involving over 90 players. It has been organised by Tanzania Cricket Association to honour the late President John Magufuli who passed away last month of heart complications.
The league that involves six teams will be opened by Twiga Maters who battle out against Rhino Challengers. After the opening game, Chui Riders will step on the ground to face Simba Heroes.
Other than the four teams which will take action today include Tembo Rangers and Buffalo Gladiators who will play tomorrow.
TCA Communication Officer, Atif Salim told Sunday News that the lists of selected teams and players are based on the individual statistical data in the previous leagues.
“We have made the teams and the selections of these 90 players based on the statistical data for the formant that we have played in a shorter format and we have selected players from upcountry at the same time in the local leagues.”
He further noted that the players involved are from divisions A and B while some are from Division C league. “We have selected players from divisions A and Division B in particular.
There are some young stars who are playing in Division C, who have been doing well and they have been selected to participate in this league.”
Salim added, the league expects to be fast and entertaining in order to pull a large audience, considering it is the shortest cricket format compared to others.
“This is a very new format it is a 10 overs format. The shortest format for any cricket matches.”
“It is an entertaining cricket format; the game will be very fast compared to the other format, the long format which is the test cricket and the one day. It is even faster than the T-20 format.”
“This is just to bring more entertainment and crowd because the game is very short and it ends in one and half an hour.
It is more of an attraction for the audience.” Twiga Masters squad will be led by Abhik Patwa while Rhino Challengers will be under Arshaan Jasani.
On the second encounter, Zafar Khan will take charge of Chui Riders where as their opponents Simba Heroes will be under the leadership of Jatin Darji.
Meanwhile, Salim has thanked all sports stakeholders and lovers for continuing to support cricket and urged them to maintain that spirit.
He further acknowledged KFC, Pepsi, Sayona, Hitech Sai healthcare centre, and G1 security group limited for their endless support of the important league calling onto other cricket lovers to support growth of cricket in the country.
