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Knight Riders acquires Abu Dhabi franchise in UAE’s new T20 League

The Knight Riders Group has obtained the rights to own and run the Abu Dhabi franchise, and will establish Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR) as an integral element of the UAE’s main T20 league, according to the UAE T20 League.

The Knight Riders Group has established a household name in T20 cricket over the last decade. After founding the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008, the Knight Riders acquired the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in 2015. The Knight Riders Group recently announced a large investment in Major League Cricket (MLC) in the United States, with plans to establish a club in the Los Angeles area.

This investment by the Knight Riders Group, which is led by Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, along with Juhi Chawla & her husband Jay Mehta, will establish their 4th T20 franchise around the world in IPL, CPL, MLC and now in UAE’s T20 league.

Khalid Al Zarooni, UAE’s T20 League Chairman said; “The commitment to grow the T20 format and the expertise gathered by the Knight Riders Group, through their involvement in franchise cricket across the world, is undisputed. We are exceptionally pleased with their foresight to join forces with the UAE’s T20 League and firmly believe it will elevate the reputation, and professionalism of the League throughout the cricket community.”

Mubashshir Usmani, General Secretary Emirates Cricket Board said, “We are pleased with the association of the Knight Riders Group with the League as a franchise team owner, we are very confident that this association will be mutually beneficial for both Knight Riders brand and the League. UAE’s T20 League will attract some of the biggest names in world cricket while also giving a platform and international exposure to local and upcoming players”.

Venky Mysore, CEO of KKR and Red Chillies Entertainment said “We feel fortunate to have been consistently recognized as a global brand in T20 cricket. As T20 cricket expands around the world, we are flattered by the regular invitations to play a major role in growing the sport across the world. We have had a keen interest in the developments in the UAE and our expansion is consistent with our long-term strategy”.

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