The chief executive of the new UAE T20 league backed by the Emirates Cricket Board has reportedly approached disgraced Australian cricketers Steven Smith and David Warner.
Salman Sarwar Butt was quoted by Australian media as saying that he hoped that the development agenda of the new league will help convince the duo to sign up.
“We are in contact with their agents. There is a positive indication but we need to wait and see,” Butt said. “We’d love to have them on board. Steve and David are obviously great international players and well known around the world.”
Earlier this year, Smith and Warner were handed a one-year international ban by Cricket Australia for involvement in ball-tampering in a Test match in South Africa.
They are currently playing in the Caribbean Premier League, and reports said that the pair may favour staying home over the Christmas break rather than playing in the UAE league which will run from December 19 to January 11.
Butt, who helped launch the Pakistan Super League two years back, was quoted as saying that around 300 players have already registered with the new venture in the UAE.
According to the Emirates Cricket Board, the tournament will have 22 matches spread across 24 days with 13 overseas stars.
Most of the spots in the 16-man squads will be taken by young players from around the world plus talent from the UAE and other associate countries.
“I’m pretty sure they (Smith and Warner) would love to play and contribute to the development of cricket. Our league is unique because it helps the global development agenda. We already have access to some very exciting talent from more than 35 associate countries. We really hope Cricket Australia help us with our development agenda,” he added.
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