Shoaib Akhtar, Sanath Jayasuriya join star studded Asia Lions for Legends Cricket League

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and former Sri Lanka batter Sanath Jayasuriya will turn out for Asia Lions in Legends Cricket League (LCL). The announcement was confirmed on Thursday (December 23). The LCL is a professional cricket league started for retired cricketers. The inaugural season of the competition will have three teams - Asia Lions, the Rest of the World XI, and the Indian team.

The Asia Lions will comprise players from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. The Rest Of World XI will have players from England, Australia, South Africa, West Indies, and New Zealand. The Indian XI will comprise players who have represented the national side at the highest level.

Speaking about Asia Lions, the side boasts of quality players such as Shahid Afridi, Jayasuriya, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Azhar Mahmood, Upul Tharanga, Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammed Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Mohammed Yousuf, Umar Gul, Younis Khan and Asghar Afghan.

All the players are match-winners in their own right. Ravi Shastri, who is the commissioner of LCL, said the Asia Lions team looks intimidating. He also said the cricket in the tournament will be exciting and of top quality. "This is top quality exciting cricket in offer. The Lions of Asia from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh & Afghanistan coming together in one team will definitely give the other two teams a run for their money.

"I tell you they are absolute champions and Afridi, Murali, Chaminda, Shoaib Malik are all playing in one team, this will be a blast."

The LCL will be played at the Al Amerat Cricket Stadium in Oman. The league would also be played twice every year. The inaugural edition will be played in the tri-series format, with six league matches scheduled to be held before the final.