Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan was quoted as saying that they will have a word with England all-rounder Moeen Ali after reports emerged that he has agreed to play in UAE’s ILT20 as well.
Ali, who was earlier named in the Chennai Super Kings-owned Johannesburg team in CSA T20 League, was on Thursday added to the Sharjah team (Sharjah Warriors). However, both the leagues are to be played simultaneously in January next year.
Cricbuzz reported that ILT20 sources told them that Ali has agreed to play in the league, which means he cannot be part of the CSA tournament. When contacted, CSK's Kasi Viswanathan expressed surprise.
"We just came to know. We will find out from the player," the CEO of the Chennai franchise said.
It was further reported that Moeen has told the ILT20 organizers that he’ll play for the league whenever he is not on England team duty.
"It has not been easy putting together a squad when the top IPL sides are also in search of players. The players tend to prefer IPL sides, particularly because it may open doors for the IPL. But we are happy with the final composition of the squad. We have a few quality international all-rounders in Moeen, (Mohammad) Nabi, and Chris Woakes, in-form batsman in Dawid Malan and an explosive opening batter in Evin Lewis.
Our Afghanistan players like (Rahmanullah) Gurbaz, Naveen (ul-Haq), and Noor (Ahmed) are extremely well versed in the UAE conditions, especially Sharjah. Add to the mix a few explosive finishers in Chris Benjamin, Tom Cadmore, and a mystery spinner in Mark Deyal. The two left-arm pacers in JJ Smit and Bilal khan complete the line-up. We're extremely happy," R Sridhar, the coach of Sharjah Warriors, said.
Sharjah Warriors squad:
Moeen Ali (England), Dawid Malan (England), Evin Lewis (West Indies), Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan), Chris Woakes (England), Noor Ahmad (Afghanistan), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan), Naveen-ul-Haq (Afghanistan), Tom Kohler-Cadmore (England), Chris Benjamin (England), Danny Briggs (England), Mark Deyal (West Indies), Bilal Khan (Oman) and JJ Smit (Namibia)
(Cricbuzz inputs)
