Gulbadin Naib, David Willey and Lance Klusener have welcomed the Abu Dhabi T10’s new ownership structure, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen the competition and support the development of cricket in the UAE. UAE Bulls all-rounder Shadab Khan, however, said he would prefer to see how the changes unfold before judging their impact.

The four players and coaches shared their views at Zayed Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, following the latest round of matches in a season that marks a new chapter for the tournament.

Until this year, the Abu Dhabi T10 was run as a privately operated league. In May, Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub took majority ownership and commercial control, with the backing of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Emirates Cricket Board.

The new structure is intended to establish the competition as a long-term sporting asset for the emirate. The November 7-20 season is the first under the new arrangement, with six franchises operating on 10-year licences.

For Royal Desert Champions all-rounder Naib, the involvement of the UAE government is a positive development.

“If the government gets involved in this, it is a good thing for the country,” Naib said. “People in other countries get a good message from it. It is a big step by the UAE government. We have to carry it and take it forward.”

The tournament already has an international audience. An independent GSIQ report valued the media exposure of the 2025 edition at US$512 million and recorded 687 million social media impressions worldwide. The new ownership structure aims to build on that reach with a longer-term approach.

Yas Lions fast bowler Willey also welcomed the change, although he admitted that the business side of the tournament was beyond his expertise.

“It’s a bit above my pay grade, to be honest,” he said.

However, Willey believes the quality of players involved and the prospect of a more stable competition can benefit the sport.

“If you see the quality of the players that are here this year, to make this competition a stable and trustworthy one as much as possible, it’s going to be great for the game,” he said. “I think it’s fantastic that it’s been taken over, and I’m pleased to be a part of Yas Lions.”

Having experienced several franchise competitions, Willey said the people behind a tournament can make a significant difference to a player’s experience.

“When you play a lot of franchise cricket, sometimes you can feel like you’re on the treadmill a little bit,” he said. “We’re really fortunate to have a great group of people here, and that’s a massive part of my enjoyment.”

Arabian Aces head coach Klusener described the changes as “very exciting”, particularly highlighting the six-team format.

“Six teams have been really good because it condenses all the talent that’s out there,” he said. “It’s six evenly matched teams, as you guys have seen. There are no easy games anymore.”

Klusener added that the season felt slightly longer than previous editions, but said that was not a concern.

Shadab, meanwhile, offered a more cautious assessment. The UAE Bulls all-rounder said he did not have enough knowledge of ownership models to comment in detail and pointed out that Abu Dhabi had a long history of hosting cricket.

“This is the first year,” he said. “After this, we will see how things continue.”

UAE players stand to benefit from international exposure

While the four had different views on the ownership changes, the value of the tournament for UAE-based players emerged as a common theme.

Each playing XI must feature at least two UAE cricketers, allowing local talent to share dressing rooms and compete alongside established international names.

Willey, who said the experience would have been particularly valuable earlier in his career, believes the exposure can help domestic players develop.

“My international career is over, so it’s not doing much for me now,” he said. “But for the domestic players, you look at the names on these team sheets. To have an opportunity to play with them, to watch them go about their business and learn from them, I think it’s fantastic.”

Klusener pointed to UAE batter Alishan Sharafu as an example of the opportunities available. Batting behind international stars Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone and Andre Russell in the Arabian Aces line-up, Sharafu is getting the chance to learn from players with extensive experience in the shortest formats.

“He’s coming up against some wonderful international players that are batting ahead of him,” Klusener said. “He’s getting a wonderful opportunity, and I thought he was outstanding again today.”

Naib also highlighted the role franchise cricket has played in Afghanistan’s development, pointing to the experience players gain by competing alongside international stars.

“Cricket is a game of pressure,” he said. “If you look at Afghanistan cricket, look at the help it has had from franchise cricket and the experience we have gained from it.”

He added that the Abu Dhabi T10 attracts viewers beyond the UAE, including fans in Afghanistan, and said the format had the potential to expand further. Naib also expressed hope that T10 cricket could one day feature at the Olympic Games.

Shadab highlighted the value of the format from a bowler’s perspective. The demands of defending a total in a 10-over match, he said, can help bowlers develop confidence that carries into T20 internationals and one-day cricket.

Champions beaten as league action continues

Wednesday’s double-header produced victories for Royal Desert Champions and Yas Lions.

Royal Desert Champions defeated defending champions UAE Bulls by six wickets, while Yas Lions beat Arabian Aces by 29 runs.

The Abu Dhabi T10 league stage continues on Friday.

Klusener, who retired from international cricket before the T10 format was introduced, was also asked whether he would have liked to play in the competition.

“It looks like fun,” he said. “Ninety minutes and you go home.”

A UAE-led cricket venture is set to take franchise cricket to China, with the World Championship of Cricket (WCC) joining hands with Chinese sports company Dongyuehui Sports to launch an eight-team Legends T20 competition in May 2027.

The proposed WCC Legends League will bring some of the sport’s most celebrated former international players to China, marking a major step in the country’s efforts to expand its cricketing presence and attract a wider audience.

The inaugural tournament is planned for May 2027 and will be based at the Shaxi Town Cricket Centre in Taicang, Jiangsu Province. The initiative comes as cricket prepares for its return to the Olympic programme at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, creating fresh opportunities to grow the sport in emerging markets.

The partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in October 2026 by Praveen Sharma, League Chairman of WCC, and Yonghui Tong, Chairman of Dongyuehui Sports. Dubai-based businessman Sharma is leading the league’s expansion into China.

WCC said the project aims to introduce international franchise cricket to new audiences while creating opportunities for the development of the sport at grassroots level.

“Cricket has the unique ability to connect people across cultures and borders, and China presents one of the most exciting opportunities for the sport’s future growth,” Sharma said.

He added that WCC was seeking support from local authorities and intended to work with Dongyuehui Sports to deliver an international-standard competition and inspire a new generation of players and fans.

Amandeep Singh, Founder of WCC, said taking the league to China had been an ambition since its inception.

“Today’s signing brings that ambition a step closer. We want to give fans the chance to watch celebrated cricketers in action and introduce new audiences to the excitement of the game,” Singh said.

He added that the organisers looked forward to working with their partners in Taicang to deliver a successful inaugural edition.

UAE sporting experience behind China expansion

WCC operates under the same company associated with the World Tennis League (WTL), World Padel League (WPL) and Stars Golf League (SGL). The group has experience in developing and staging international franchise sporting events, with the tennis and padel leagues having previously been held in Abu Dhabi.

The UAE connection also extends to the cricketing community, with several former international players having made the country their home in recent years.

WCC believes the combination of its international sporting experience and Dongyuehui Sports’ local knowledge and infrastructure will help bring high-profile cricket to Chinese audiences while encouraging greater participation in the game.

Tong said the partnership supported his organisation’s ambition to establish China as a destination for major international sporting events and develop the Shaxi Town Cricket Centre into a leading cricket venue.

“Our vision is to establish China as a destination for major international sporting events, and to position the Shaxi Town Cricket Centre as the leading home of cricket in the country,” Tong said.

He added that the league would introduce some of the biggest names in international cricket to Chinese fans, encourage participation and contribute to the sport’s long-term development.

Opportunities for Chinese players and investors

The proposed competition could also create a platform for emerging Chinese cricketers to learn from former international stars who have competed at the highest level, including the ICC Cricket World Cup.

For many of the participating legends, the tournament would also provide an opportunity to play in China for the first time.

The franchise-based model is expected to create commercial opportunities for private investors and investment funds through team ownership, strategic partnerships and other forms of investment.

With China representing one of the world’s largest consumer markets, the organisers see potential to build a wider commercial and sporting ecosystem around the competition.

Following its planned inaugural edition in China, the next season of the WCC Legends League could be staged in the UAE, which has already established itself as a major destination for international franchise cricket.

Students in Dubai can save up to 50 per cent on public transport fares under a new all-in-one student card that also provides access to discounts and benefits across the UAE and more than 130 countries.

The New Dubai Student Card has been launched by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in partnership with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Dubai International Academic City, Dubai Knowledge Park and the International Student Identity Card Association (ISIC).

The card combines three functions: student identification, nol public transport services and internationally recognised ISIC student status. It is designed to make everyday travel and student life more convenient while extending access to local and international offers.

Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of the RTA’s Corporate Technology Services Sector, said the initiative had been developed in partnership with educational institutions across Dubai to support students throughout their academic journey.

He outlined four areas of benefits available through the card:

• On campus: Student identification through participating educational institutions.
• Around Dubai: Access to RTA public transport services with student fare discounts of up to 50 per cent.
• Every day: Student discounts, offers and benefits across the UAE.
• While travelling: Access to more than 150,000 ISIC benefits across over 130 countries.

Through its ISIC affiliation, the card offers access to deals covering travel, accommodation, dining, entertainment, shopping and education.

The New Dubai Student Card will be introduced in phases. Educational institutions interested in participating can apply through the official website, www.dubaistudentcard.ae.

Dr Saeed Mubarak Kharbash, CEO of Policies, Research and Programmes at KHDA, said the initiative would make everyday experiences more seamless while expanding students’ access to opportunities.

He added that the card would support a more connected and enriching student journey while strengthening Dubai’s position as a global destination for education and talent.

Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Senior Vice President of Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park, part of TECOM Group, said the integrated solution would bring together student identification, mobility and exclusive benefits in Dubai and internationally.

The initiative aims to simplify access to transport services and student discounts, offering learners a more connected experience while studying in the emirate.