Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf and the all-rounder Shadab Khan have signed for San Fransisco Unicorns in the inaugural season of Major League Cricket (MLC) on Tuesday.
Rauf, 29, became the first top-flight Pakistani cricketer to be confirmed as an overseas pick in the MLC.
MLC, with a massive investment of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises, is all set to be played from July 13 to 30 in Texas.
As many as six franchises are taking part in this tournament. IPL franchise Mumbai Indians bought MI New York team whereas Shahrukh Khan's Kolkata Knight Riders have Los Angeles Knight Riders in MLC. Chennai Super Kings also have their franchise Texas Super Kings in the league. The other franchises include Washington Freedom, San Francisco Unicorns and Seattle Orcas.
Pakistani cricketers are also part of the league. Hammad Azam and Eshan Adil along with New Zealand’s former pacer Trent Boult, and Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan will also 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.
2016 T20 World Cup winner Dwayne Bravo and South Africa’s explosive T20 batter David Miller are also a part of 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 in the league.
Sohail Imran Sohail Imran is a senior reporter for Geo News.- Shadab Khan