The Masters Champions League is a Twenty20 league that will feature retired (from international cricket, at least) greats in a six-team competition spread out across roughly two weeks in the UAE. The first match is on Thursday in Dubai, where three days of matches will be played before the tournament moves to Sharjah from February 3-7, and then returning to Dubai for the play-offs February 11-13.
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Khurram Khan (Sagittarius Soldiers)
The league’s aim from the very beginning was to promote Associate talent, as well as – wherever possible – UAE players. Khurram may still be older than some of the players in other sides, but he was active until as recently as the World Cup this year. He is guaranteed to not look retired when he takes the field in such luminous company.
Kumar Sangakkara (Gemini Arabians)
Of course, how could you not? Sangakkara is good enough to still be playing for Sri Lanka. His appearances at the other veterans shindig, the All-Stars matches in the US, felt especially cruel because he was so obviously better and fitter and younger than anyone else there.
Jacques Kallis (Libra Legends)
Graeme Swann desperately wanted Kallis on his side. He had watched him play in the All-Stars and, like Sangakkara, realised he was at a different level to the others. He only retired last year, so as he was through his career, will still be a cut above the others.
Abdul Razzaq (Capricorn Commanders)
One of the many players who has yet to officially retire from international cricket, though the glory days of the “Razzler” are long gone. He was playing first-class cricket until the start of this year, so expect him to be fit enough to outshine a few of the bigger names here.
Owais Shah (Virgo Super Kings)
Shah never quite fulfilled his potential for England, but in his late career, he has become a handy T20 floater. He averages nearly 33 (strike rate: 125.03) in over 200 T20 games and played for Hampshire this summer in the T20 blast. Another younger, fitter recruit who could shine.
Brad Hogg (Libra Legends)
Hogg was old when he was an active cricketer, and even though he will turn 45 during the tournament, he is a sprightlier 45 than most. He played in the IPL this year (and was part of Australia’s Twenty20 side as recently as the World Twenty20 last year). His left-arm chinaman should thrive in these conditions.
Brendan Taylor (Leo Lions)
Taylor will turn 30 during the tournament, which puts in perspective the relatively loose use of the word veteran, or former, when describing the cricketers of this league. He is, at least, officially and definitively retired from international cricket. He is easily still the best Zimbabwean batsman around.
Richard Levi (Gemini Arabians)
Levi was one of the most fiercely-fought for players at the auction and it is easy to see why. He will have just turned 28 when the tournament begins, in near-peak physical condition. He was overshadowed by Kevin Pietersen (who isn’t?) but had a good Ram Slam T20 in his native South Africa. Destined to succeed here.
Fidel Edwards (Leo Lions)
Fidel Edwards will be 34 by the time the first MCL season takes place, but he has just taken 45 wickets in the county championship for Hampshire. The pace may have dipped, but not enough to stop him from succeeding in this league. His pace, indeed, was the key reason Scott Styris was so keen to have him.