ILT20: Sunil Narine, Andre Russell Join Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
Published - 16 Aug 2022, 08:16 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:11 AM
West Indies T20I specialists Andre Russell and Sunil Narine are among the 14 signings of the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR) for UAE’s International League T20 (ILT20).
The ADKR franchise is owned by the Knight Riders Group, which also has teams like Kolkata Knight Riders (IPL) and Trinbago Knight Riders (CPL) under its belt.
Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Jonny Bairstow top signings 0f ADKR in ILT20
England’s swashbuckling player Jonny Bairstow is another prominent overseas signing by the Abu Dhabi franchise for UAE’s inaugural T20 league season. West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein and fast bowler Ravi Rampaul will be part of the ADKR squad along with Sri Lanka batter Charith Asalanka.
The ADKR franchise announced their overseas players on Tuesday and the list includes Sri Lanka all-rounder Seekuge Prasanna and fast bowler Lahiru Kumara; Ireland opener Paul Stirling and South Africa batter Colin Ingram.
It’s terrific to have Sunil Narine and Andre Russell: Venky Mysore
Narine and Russell have been part of two-time IPL winners Kolkata Knight Riders since 2012 and 2014 respectively, while Narine also plays for the CPL team Trinbago Knight Riders.
“Firstly it’s great to see that our global footprint continues to grow in line with our vision & strategy. KKR in IPL, TKR in CPL and now ADKR in the ILT20,” Knight Riders group CEO Venky Mysore said.
“It’s also terrific that we have our mainstays – Sunil Narine and Andre Russell as part of ADKR. We are really delighted that Jonny Bairstow joins the Knight Riders family and will no doubt play a huge part in ADKR’s journey in ILT20. We are also delighted that Akeal Hosein, Ravi Rampaul, Ali Khan, Colin Ingram and Seekuge Prasanna, who have been part of Trinbago Knight Riders before, are also a part of ADKR,” he added.
ADKR said it will add the local UAE players later through the draft process. This is the second team to announce its squad after the MI Emirates revealed its list of 14 players.
The ILT20 is scheduled to commence in January 2023 in the UAE and it will compete South Africa’s T20 league for players and eyeballs.
ADKR squad so far: Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Akeal Hosein, Raymon Reifer, Kennar Lewis, Ravi Rampaul (all from West Indies), Jonny Bairstow (England), Paul Stirling (Ireland), Lahiru Kumara, Charith Asalanka, Seekkuge Prasanna (all three from Sri Lanka), Colin Ingram (South Africa), Ali Khan (USA), Brandon Glover (The Netherlands).
