The United States of America (USA) are all set to host their first-ever franchise cricket league this year.
The event will kick off tomorrow in Texas, featuring six teams - MI New York, Los Angeles Knight Riders, Texas Super Kings, Washington Freedom, San Francisco Unicorns and Seattle Orcas.
The trophy for the much-awaited tournament was revealed earlier today. All six captains posed with the glittering prize.
The 17-day tournament will end on July 30. The event is expected to turn the tides for cricket set-up in the USA, who is set to co-host T20 World Cup 2024 alongside West Indies.
Pakistani cricketers are also part of this cash-rich league. International stars Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan will play for San Francisco Unicorns. Left-arm all-rounder Imad Wasim will represent Seattle Orcas.
Former Pakistani cricketers Hammad Azam and Eshan Adil will play for MI New York.
Sami Aslam, who left Pakistan for the USA to seek cricket career there, has been picked up by Texas Super Kings. Zia Shahzad, who played first-class cricket in Pakistan, will accompany his compatriot in the Kings' team.
Young Pakistani cricketer Saif Badar, who also featured in Pakistan Super League (PSL), will play for Los Angeles Knight Riders.
Two other Pakistani cricketers - Saad Ali and Mukhtar Ahmed - will represent Washington Freedom.