Dubai :Harmeet Singh made history in Houston when he became the first pick in the inaugural Major League Cricket (MLC) draft. Singh, an all-rounder who bowls left-arm off-spin, was selected by the Seattle Orcas in a historic event that saw six MLC franchises converge at Space Center Houston to make their domestic picks and announce big international signings ahead of the 2023 season.
Singh’s selection is particularly noteworthy given his impressive track record, having played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and being part of the India U-19 squad that won the 2012 World Cup. He also led the Seattle Thunderbolts to the 2022 Minor League Cricket championship, making him a highly sought-after player in the MLC draft.
Joining Singh on the Seattle Orcas team are some other big-name international signings, including former South Africa captain and wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock and hard-hitting Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Unicorns have secured the services of former Australia one-day international captain Aaron Finch and Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, while the Washington Freedom have signed up South Africa fast bowler Anrich Nortje and Sri Lanka leg-break bowler Wanindu Hasaranga.
Other notable selections in the MLC draft include Unmukt Chand, who captained the India U-19 team to the 2012 World Cup, and Liam Plunkett, a star bowler for the England team that won the 2019 World Cup.
The 2023 MLC season is set to kick off on July 13 at Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas, with teams playing the explosive Twenty20 (T20) format of the game. The regular season will consist of five games, with each team playing each other once, followed by a playoff round and the championship on July 30.
As the season draws nearer, more big-name international signings are expected to be announced, while each team also has the opportunity to pick another domestic player based on performances in the Minor League Cricket season. All in all, the MLC promises to be an exciting addition to the world of cricket, with some of the sport’s biggest names set to take part.