Gayle to play in first Abu Dhabi T20 tourney

Gayle to play in first Abu Dhabi T20 tourney
Associated Press / Ross Setford

West Indies batting superstar Chris Gayle is set to play in the inaugural Abu Dhabi T20 Trophy to be staged in October.

Gayle, the most successful Twenty20 batsman of all time, will play for Afghan side Boost Defenders, which will be one of six teams contesting the tournament at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.

English side Yorkshire Vikings, Big Bash franchise Hobart Hurricanes, Lahore Qalanders of Pakistan Super League and South Africa’s Multiply Titans will join Boost Defenders, with the final team yet to be announced.

The tournament will be staged by Abu Dhabi Cricket, under the umbrella of Abu Dhabi Sports Council and has gained the support of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Emirates Cricket Board.

Over 20,000 spectators are expected daily to watch the array of stars which include England’s Tymal Mills and Gary Balance, Pakistan’s leg spinner Yaris Shah, and South Africa fast bowler Albie Morkel.

The organizers say that 38-year-old Gayle is expected to the biggest drawing card.