Major boost for Abu Dhabi T10 as Yuvraj Singh joins Maratha Arabians

After blow of Pakistan withdrawing its top players, tournament given huge lift by signing of India legend

Yuvraj Singh, who played 304 one-day internationals and 40 Test matches for India, has signed up for Maratha Arabians in the Abu Dhabi T10. Reuters

Less than a day after it was revealed Pakistan’s leading players will not be permitted to feature in the league, Abu Dhabi T10 has been handed a boost after it was announced Yuvraj Singh will be playing.

The Indian World Cup-winner has signed for Maratha Arabians ahead of the third season of the 10-over competition, which will be played at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi from November 15.

He will play alongside the likes of Chris Lynn, Dwayne Bravo, and Lasith Malinga, for a team that is set to be overseen by former England coach Andy Flower.

“It is an exciting new format to be part of,” Yuvraj said. “I am looking forward to joining forces with some of the world’s biggest names in this league and representing team Maratha Arabians.

“It is going to be a thrilling time for the game of cricket. It’s heart-warming to see leagues like T10 putting in so much hard work and offering such an exciting format for sports enthusiasts.”

T10 league bosses said during the summer they were in talks with Yuvraj, but suggested recruiting one of India’s biggest stars would carry a heavy financial burden.

“We can only afford so much,” Shaji Ul Mulk, the league’s founder and chairman said in August.

However, the Arabians franchise have managed to negotiate his signing.

“It is terrific to have a world-class player like Yuvi in our squad,” Sohail Khan, the Maratha Arabians co-owner, said.

“We have all seen his exploits for India in various formats. He is a champion cricketer, and has been one of the greats in the white ball formats. It is a huge honour to have him in our squad.”

Yuvraj is an addition to the 14-man squad the franchise had settled on after the player draft last Wednesday.

He is not said to be a replacement for Mohammed Irfan, the Pakistan fast-bowler, with a spokesman for the franchise saying they have yet to have confirmation over the status of the league's Pakistani players.

On Wednesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board revoked permission for a number of their players to feature in the T10.

It has thrown preparation for the event into confusion, given that a whole franchise – Qalandars – is based in Lahore, and includes just four non-Pakistani players in its squad.

The other co-owner of Maratha Arabians, Parvez Khan, preferred to focus on the arrival of Yuvraj, describing him as “a world-beater”.

“We all know what he has achieved both on and off the field,” Parvez said of the 37-year-old left-hander.“His deeds speak for his brilliance. I wholeheartedly welcome Yuvraj to the Maratha Arabians family.”