Major League Cricket (MLC) has released the first draft of the players signed by the six franchises participating in the upcoming season of the tournament, scheduled to take place in 2023.
The MLC is a professional Twenty20 cricket league in the United States that aims to popularize cricket in the country. The league consists of six franchises, namely, New York City Thunder, San Francisco Bay Blazers, Chicago Midwest Tigers, Dallas Pioneers, Washington Capital Challengers, and Los Angeles Lights.
Each team has signed a total of 18 players, including six overseas players and three emerging players. The first draft of the players was conducted on Monday, and the franchises had to make their picks based on a predetermined draft order.
The New York City Thunder picked the West Indian all-rounder Kieron Pollard as their marquee player, while the San Francisco Bay Blazers selected the Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc. The Chicago Midwest Tigers chose the South African batsman AB de Villiers, and the Dallas Pioneers went with the Indian opener Rohit Sharma.
The Washington Capital Challengers picked the Pakistani leg-spinner Shadab Khan, and the Los Angeles Lights selected the West Indian opener Chris Gayle as their marquee player.
The MLC has been gaining popularity in recent years and is seen as a promising venture for cricket in the United States. The league is expected to feature some of the biggest names in cricket, and the first draft of the players has only added to the excitement surrounding the tournament.
