Sports

Zim Afro T10 organisers address corruption doubts

Published

3 years ago

July 22, 2023

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Harare: Organisers of the Zim Cyber City Zim Afro T10 have assuaged cricket fans about the integrity of the tournament ahead of its July 20 debut without compromising on the entertainment quotient in Harare, where some of the most exciting names in white-ball cricket have descended.
Organised by Zimbabwe Cricket along with T Ten Global Sports, it is the first tournament of its kind in the continent of Africa. Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani gave his nod to what is a new journey in the history of Zimbabwe as well as African cricket in general.

ALSO READ: Stars descent in Harare for Zim Afro T10 League bow

“The Zim Cyber City Zim Afro T10 tournament, which is the first in Africa, the glamour and the opportunity around it with the international cricketers that are there, we thought it was a good opportunity for us and Zimbabwe cricket in a quest to rebuild and reposition ourselves in the arena of global cricket. It is a great opportunity for us to have this tournament here and everyone, the technical staff, players and even the fans and media, are all excited about,” said Mukuhlani.
Yet, there are questions about the integrity of the tournament with events mushrooming in distant parts of the world, and Mukuhlani addressed them with a straight bat. “Integrity is of top priority in any tournament, whether it is club cricket or bilateral cricket. And it’s no less for this tournament. We have gone through a whole process of due diligence, prior to licensing T10, and that involves working together with the integrity unit at the ICC.
“T10 is in its sixth year and the integrity checks have been put into place and addressed and we are working with the ICC Integrity Unit and our own security systems in Zimbabwe to ensure that the integrity of the game is not jeopardised. We can assure you we are doing everything to ensure the fans and players enjoy the game properly.”

Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani, Zim Cyber City CEO Tendayi Hlupo-Mamvura and T10 franchise brand owner Shaji-ul-Mulk. Supplied photo

Adding to that, Mr Shaji Ul Mulk, chairman T-Ten Sports, said, “T10 when it first started needed to be sanctioned by the ICC. So, we took a conscious call that the integrity and anti-corruption contract to monitor would be given to the ICC themselves. For the last 6 years, in Abu Dhabi, the entire contract has been with the ICC, and even this year it is with the ICC for the Zim Cyber City Zim Afro T10, the Zimbabwe cricket board, who themselves have a robust system in place are working on it as well. We have a zero-tolerance policy on corruption.”
The T10 format, the most explosive in the game of cricket, is the brainchild of Shaji Ul Mulk and originated from the UAE. “In our quest to become global, Zimbabwe is our first stop. We go to the US from here, then back to Abu Dhabi, and then Sri Lanka and then India after that. For us, it is about investing in the domestic structure all over and here in Zimbabwe we have conducted a grassroot school tournament and selected some of the good players for scholarships. We have also conducted a player development programme, and five of them will be inducted into the Zim Cyber City Zim Afro T10 squads,” he added.
Mulk also hinted that introducing the T10 format to women’s cricket was also in the pipeline, with Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka as possible destinations.

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>And there are cheerleaders here at the <a href=”https://twitter.com/ZimAfroT10?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@ZimAfroT10</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/zimafrot10_fans?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@zimafrot10_fans</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/CricketsFastestFormat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#CricketsFastestFormat</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/KwiriTravels?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#KwiriTravels</a> <a href=”https://t.co/84SGdtQgQl”>pic.twitter.com/84SGdtQgQl</a></p>— larry kwirirayi ✍🎬 (@kwirirayi) <a href=”https://twitter.com/kwirirayi/status/1682399569106141184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>July 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>

Related Topics:Africa corruption cricket format franchise ICC League Sports world Zim Afro T10 Zimbabwe

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News

Big move for UAE cricket: Abu Dhabi takes over full ownership of T10 league

Published

2 days ago

May 20, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub (ADCSH) has officially taken majority ownership and commercial control of the Abu Dhabi T10, marking one of the biggest changes yet for cricket’s fastest-growing format.

The move transforms the tournament into a fully Abu Dhabi-owned and managed sporting property, backed by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) and supported by the Emirates Cricket Board.

A major new chapter for T10 cricket

Officials say the transition is designed to strengthen governance, attract bigger global audiences and position Abu Dhabi as the long-term home of T10 cricket.

The format, known for its fast-paced 10-over matches and international star power, has quickly built a global following thanks to its shorter games, entertainment-focused style and television-friendly format.

“This marks a new start for a tournament that has already demonstrated global relevance,” said Aref Al Awani, Chairman of the Board, ADCSH and General Secretary, ADSC.

Huge global numbers already

According to organisers, the 2025 edition of the Abu Dhabi T10 generated:

$512 million in media value
687 million social media impressions globally

The tournament has also become known for attracting some of the world’s biggest cricket names and dramatic last-over finishes.

2026 tournament dates confirmed

The next edition of the Abu Dhabi T10 will run from:

November 7 to November 20, 2026
Hosted at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi

The 2026 season will be the first full tournament under the new ownership structure.

Officials also confirmed that:

Eight franchises and ownership groups will be invited to participate
A new “Invitation To Tender” process will open for franchise partnerships
More details will be announced soon

Bigger ambitions beyond cricket

For Abu Dhabi, the move is about far more than sport.

Leaders say the revamped tournament will help support:

Tourism growth
International broadcasting opportunities
Community sports development
Abu Dhabi’s growing reputation as a global sports destination

Shaji Ul Mulk, Chairman of Mulk International, who helped launch the T10 concept, called the transition “an important step” for the future of the format.

Meanwhile, Matt Boucher, who has also been confirmed as the new CEO of the Abu Dhabi T10, said the focus now shifts toward improving governance, player structures and commercial growth to take the event “to the highest summit possible.”

“The Abu Dhabi T10 was born out of Shaji’s bold ambition and has grown into one of the world’s coolest cricket properties,” said Boucher.

As franchise discussions begin under the new structure, Abu Dhabi is making one thing clear: T10 cricket is no longer just a tournament, it is becoming a major long-term sporting asset for the UAE.

Sports

Rio Ferdinand house for sale: Man Utd legend puts Kent mansion on market after Dubai move

Published

4 weeks ago

April 24, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Rio Ferdinand may be done with UK living, for now.

The former Manchester United star, 47, has listed his seven-bedroom Kent mansion for £10.5 million (Dh52 million), hinting his move to Dubai is permanent.

Set in the exclusive Farnborough Park estate, the 12,500 sq ft home features landscaped grounds, a private gym, grand reception spaces, and a luxury master suite with dual dressing rooms. He bought it in 2008 for around £2.7 million, meaning a potential £8 million profit, though tax could apply depending on residency status.

Ferdinand moved to Dubai last year with his wife Kate and their children. They are now living in a luxury villa in Al Barari.

He has been candid about the move, citing more family time, an improved lifestyle, and the appeal of a fresh start. “The lifestyle, safety and weather, it just works for us,” Ferdinand said in the report.

He’s not alone. Vincent Kompany is also reportedly selling his UK home, as more football names rethink where they’re based.

Sports

Big game tonight: Expect traffic delays around Dubai’s Al Wasl Club

Published

1 month ago

April 22, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has alerted motorists to expected traffic delays on key roads on Wednesday, April 22, due to the AFC Champions League 2 match taking place at Al Wasl Club.

The fixture between Qatar’s Al Ahli and Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia is part of the ongoing AFC Champions League 2, Asia’s second-tier continental competition, which has been drawing strong crowds across the region. Matches at this stage of the tournament typically attract large numbers of fans, especially when hosted in major cities like Dubai, leading to increased traffic around stadium zones.

Authorities expect congestion on roads leading to and around the stadium, particularly during pre-match and post-match hours, as supporters head to watch the game live.

Motorists are advised to plan their journeys, allow extra travel time, and consider alternative routes to avoid delays.

To help ease congestion, the RTA confirmed that additional parking spaces will be available behind the stadium, offering more options for those attending the match.

The advisory is part of ongoing efforts to manage traffic during major sporting events and ensure a smooth and comfortable travel experience for residents and visitors across Dubai.