Pakistani middle-order batsman Iftikhar Ahmed has become a beacon of inspiration for young cricketers by opting to play in the National T20 instead of the Abu Dhabi T10 League.
Despite being enlisted by the Bangla Tigers for the upcoming tournament starting on December 28, the 33-year-old decided to contribute to domestic cricket by representing the Peshawar region.
Clarifying his decision at the National T20, Iftikhar revealed that although he had a contract with the T10 league, he canceled it to prioritize domestic cricket in Pakistan.
He underscored the significance of his domestic cricket performances in earning him a spot in the Pakistani team, emphasizing that playing for Pakistan has garnered him immense respect.
As a seasoned player and professional, Iftikhar believes in reciprocating that respect to fellow domestic cricketers and showcasing loyalty to Pakistan.
The National T20, featuring 18 teams, is currently in progress across four venues. The group stage matches, concluding on November 28, are underway, and the Super Eight stage is set to commence on December 1.
Concurrently, the Abu Dhabi T10 League 2023 will witness eight teams, including the New York Strikers, Deccan Gladiators, Northern Warriors, Morrisville Samp Army, Delhi Bulls, Team Abu Dhabi, Chennai Braves, and Bangla Tigers. The tournament will follow a round-robin format during the group stage.
The subsequent stages will include Qualifier 1 (Team 1 vs Team 2), Eliminator (Team 3 vs Team 4), Qualifier 2 (Winner Eliminator vs Loser Qualifier 1), and the ultimate Final.
All matches of the Abu Dhabi T10 League will unfold at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. In the previous edition, the Deccan Gladiators emerged victorious, defeating the New York Strikers by 37 runs in the final.
