Qatar is playing host to the second edition of Legends League Cricket (LLC) Masters 2023 that has brought together 50 former cricketers, who have represented their nations for years and are still loved by fans all across the world.
Hosting top-notch sports events are not new for Qatar that staged the best-ever edition of the FIFA World Cup last year. Similarly, the hosting of LLC Masters has created ripples in the country with fans particularly from the South Asian community turning out in big numbers to watch their favourite players in action at Doha’s Asian Town International Stadium.
The tournament featuring three teams - India Maharajas, Asian Lions and World Giants will come to an end tomorrow as Giants will take on Lions in the title clash after Maharajas were knocked out in the Eliminator last night. Maharajas were led by Gautam Gambhir and they also had other former India stars Harbhajan Singh, the Pathan brothers – Irfan and Yusuf, S Sreesanth, Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa and Stuart Binny among others.
Pakistani star Shahid Afridi-led Lions comprises former speedster Shoaib Akhtar besides Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan, Dilhara Fernando and Upul Tharanga. Giants, who are led by former Australian captain Aaron Finch, have Brett Lee, Shane Watson, West Indian Chris Gayle, New Zealander Ross Taylor, South Africa’s Jacques Kallis, Hashim Amla, England’s Monty Panesar and Paul Collingwood along with Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien and Afghanistan’s Asghar Afghan.
Raman Raheja, Co-founder and CEO of Legends League Cricket termed the Doha tournament as ‘historic moment’. He said it is the first time that 50 cricket legends have assembled in one place, saying players are relishing their time in Doha. Qatar Airways and Visit Qatar have partnered with the LLC Masters making the event a big success. Discover Qatar, Qatar Airways’ destination management division, offered a limited number of Ultimate Fan Experience packages for each of the eight games. A meet and greet with legends, photo and autograph opportunity with the team captains was held in Doha yesterday.
The hosting of this tournament also shows Qatar Cricket Association’s (QCA) strong intent to promote the sport in the country as the body has taken many steps in this regard under its President Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Saoud Al Thani.
“We always strive for excellence in sports and are trying to make Qatar a sports-friendly destination. With the biggest of legends playing in the league we look forward to having a wonderful tournament and making Qatar a go-to cricket destination,” QCA President had said. The QCA is keen to bring more such events in the country besides supporting the national team, which is determined to shine at international stage.
