DUBAI: While the future of an international cricket league between India and Pakistan continues to remain uncertain, the UAE-based initiative seems to be a welcome alternative for cricket lovers from both countries.

The second season of the T10 Cricket League, sanctioned by the International Cricket Council, will comprise eight teams divided into two groups and named after cities and states in India and Pakistan.

These are the Kerala Kings, Punjabi Legends, Maratha Arabians, Bengal Tigers, Karachians, Rajputs, Northern Warriors and the Pakhtoons.

The 10-day series will begin from November 23 and end on December 2, the UAE’s National Day.

In the first series, held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in December last year, the Kerala Kings were declared winners while the Punjabi Legends secured second place.

This year, the Karachians and Northern Warriors have been added to the previous list of six teams.

“The T10 Cricket League is gaining ground, with the formal recognition of the International Cricket Council and the interest shown by the stakeholders, which encouraged us to add two new teams to the league,” Nawab Shaji Ul Mulk, chairman of the T10 Cricket League and T10 Sports Management, said.

“Cricket is being reinvented in the UAE and the T10 Cricket League is at the forefront of this journey. We are getting a large crowd joining us in this great journey where we hope to break new grounds with many more surprises to come,” Salman Iqbal, president of the T10 Cricket League, added.