RICHARDSON, Texas, Aug. 12,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Texas at Dallas has announced a
partnership with the National Cricket League USA (NCL USA)
to host the inaugural Sixty Strikes Tournament on Oct. 4-14.
The event will feature six teams representing top talent from
around the world, including international players, coaches and
mentors. Team leaders already named include notable cricket players
Mohammad Kaif, Sunil Narine, Dwayne
Bravo, Mohammad Amir,
Angelo Mathews, Jason Roy, Mohammad
Nabi, Tamim Iqbal,
Shakib Al Hasan, Shahid Afridi and Kamran
Akmal. Mentors will include Dilip Vengsarkar and
Zaheer Abbas, and Vivian Richards and Sanath Jayasuriya have been among the named
coaches.
"Texas is proud to host the
inaugural Sixty Strikes Tournament," Texas Gov. Greg
Abbott said. "Earlier this year, Texas hosted the first T20 Cricket World Cup
in the United States, and our
great state has welcomed the Major League Cricket and National
Cricket League USA — both of which
have a presence and teams in North
Texas. As cricket expands its global fan base, Texas will hold front-row seats to its growth
across the nation."
The new format by the NCL USA
is setting dynamic standards for cricket. The Sixty Strikes event
will feature an abbreviated 60 ball format known for power hitting
and high-scoring matches. The quick, action-packed games typically
last around 90 minutes and allow players to be more aggressive
while showcasing their skills.
Like baseball, cricket is a bat-and-ball sport in which two
teams compete to score the most runs. A fly ball caught by a
fielder results in an out, while a batted ball that escapes the
field's boundaries is worth either four or six runs, depending on
if it has bounced before leaving. In cricket, however, balls are
bowled instead of pitched, and two batters are on the field
simultaneously.
"UT Dallas, home of many
international students and the Comets Cricket Club, is the perfect
site for NCL USA's inaugural
season," said James B.
Milliken, chancellor of The University of Texas System. "With cricket's
popularity around the world, I share Texans' enthusiasm for its
expanded exposure here. I may not understand all the rules yet, but
I'm an enthusiastic student of the game. I applaud UT Dallas, North
Texas and the state for its leadership in attracting another
great venture."
In anticipation of the upcoming event, UT Dallas is undergoing facility enhancements
including upgrading the University's current cricket field,
installing lighting and preparing the grounds for spectators.
Seating for the event will include 2,040 bleacher seats and tented
VIP areas. The event also will be streamed for worldwide
viewing.
"Many in our UT Dallas
community play or follow the game, so bringing this innovative
tournament to campus is a natural fit," said UT Dallas
President Richard C. Benson,
the Eugene McDermott Distinguished University Chair of Leadership.
"We are excited for the opportunity to host alumni and supporters
and to introduce newcomers to our university."
In addition to cricketing talent, the NCL USA plans to feature Bollywood and
Hollywood entertainers throughout
the tournament. This mix of sports and entertainment is likely to
attract a diverse audience and create a unique atmosphere for the
matches.
"This collaboration between UT Dallas and the NCL USA represents a groundbreaking moment for
cricket in the U.S.," said Arun
Agarwal, NCL USA chairman.
"By merging world-class cricket with premier entertainment, we will
captivate a diverse audience and elevate the sport's presence in
North Texas. Sixty Strikes is set
to be a game-changer."
Learn more about the Sixty Strikes Tournament
at nclcricket.com.
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SOURCE University of Texas at
Dallas