UAE to host T20 tournament for retired players

Former internationals such as Brian Lara will play in the Masters Champions League (MCL), a franchise T20 tournament for retired cricketers set to take place in the UAE in February 2016.

The tournament will be made up of six teams in its first year, with a total of 90 players taking part - 15 members per squad. The players must all have been former international cricketers who are now retired from all forms of the professional sport.

The MCL has received a 10-year approval from the Emirates Cricket Board, and inaugural matches of the tournament will take place over two weeks in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

"Our ultimate vision is for the MCL to become the natural next step for all international players retiring from the professional game to extend their careers in a masters league," MCL chairman Zafar Shah said.

Adam Gilchrist, Brian Lara, Wasim Akram, Ramiz Raja and Danny Morrison were present at the official launch of the tournament.