Yusuf Pathan and Robin Uthappa, two former Team India batters, will return to the field with the bat. This time, UAE’s fields will witness both explosive batsmen showering fours and sixes. Beginning in January, both of these players will compete in the UAE’s International T20 League. They’ll both be a part of Dubai Capitals.
The International League T20’s inaugural season will begin in January. The addition of two prominent Indian cricketers in such a scenario is also a significant accomplishment for this league. This year, announced his retirement from international cricket. Uthappa, who made his international debut for India in 2006, also played on the squad that won the T20 World Cup the following year.
The International League T20 (ILT20) franchisees have just been given the green light to hire more players, and the Dubai Capitals took advantage of the opportunity to sign former India World Cup champions Robin Uthappa and Yusuf Pathan for the first season of the UAE’s T20 league. The ILT20 organisers amended the recruitment guidelines, expanding the squad size from 18 to 25 players as previously indicated, enabling the teams to add more players.
First Indians to join UAE league
Robin Uthappa became one of the first two Indians to sign for the T20 League in the UAE, joining Yusuf Pathan and Dubai Capitals. Uthappa has also retired from all facets of Indian cricket, similar to Pathan. Players under central and state contracts with the BCCI are not permitted to participate in any international T20 Leagues.
Robin, who has long since left Team India, is 37 years old. He can continue playing competitive cricket in this situation by doing so for a few more years in overseas leagues. Cricketers from the BCCI are not permitted to compete in overseas leagues. This is the rationale behind Robin’s decision to stop playing for the national cricket team and play abroad.
Yusuf Pathan, on the other side, is also denied opportunities in the IPL. As a result, senior Pathan, who has represented India in 57 ODIs and 22 T20 Internationals, is able to continue playing competitive cricket at the age of 40 by joining the Dubai Capitals.
On social media, the 42-year-old Pathan’s signing was confirmed. Pathan was a member of the Indian teams that won the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup.
“PATHAN POWER incoming at #DPWorldILT20. Here’s welcoming the T20 legend Yusuf Pathan, who knows the art of hitting big sixes. Can’t wait to get started,” Dubai Capitals informed through their official Twitter handle.
Pathan in T20 Leagues
Pathan played in the Legends League Cricket after retiring from international and IPL cricket in 2021, and he finished the just-completed 2022 edition as the second-highest run-scorer. Pathan scored 184 runs in 7 games for the Bhilwara Kings, averaging 30.66, with the best score of 48.
“I am elated to join the Dubai Capitals. I would like to thank GMR Group for believing in me. I am looking forward to an amazing ILT20 season where we will try our best to win the inaugural edition of this grand T20 League,” Pathan said in a video released by Dubai Capitals on Twitter.
