Shahid Afridi launches his own T10 League named Mega Stars League

[MenInG]

Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi has launched his own T10 League named Mega Star League (MSL). The former Pakistan captain has reasoned that the league is being started for former cricketers, athletes, and sports journalists. Notably, the league is set to be played in September this year.

Afridi announced the inaugural edition of the Mega Star League (MSL) in the presence of prominent personalities like former legendary Pakistan players Inzamam-ul-Haq, Waqar Younis, and Mushtaq Ahmed. These are all expected to participate in the MSL this year. Afridi also revealed at the launch event that the tournament will be played in the T10 format and will have six teams participating.

“Mega Star League is an entertaining league, which is scheduled to be played in September in Rawalpindi this year. The core idea behind introducing this league is to financially support the ex-cricketers, athletes, and sports journalists,” Afridi said.

“The MSL will feature six teams, and foreign players will also take part in the upcoming league,” he further added.

PSL for young ones, MSL for old ones!

The former Pakistan all-rounder also highlighted the light side of the reason behind starting Mega Star League. Afridi said that older players like him who can’t play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will feature in MSL. “PSL is for youngsters and I am not young enough anymore. I, Mushtaq Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis will play in MSL,” he concluded.

https://www.sportstiger.com/shahid-afridi-launches-his-own-t10-league-named-mega-stars-league/

 

[Varun]

Sounds like one of those fun leagues for over-the-hill or retired players.

Expect to see some Indian names in it: Yuvraj, Sehwag etc.

 

[silentkiller187]

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Sounds like one of those fun leagues for over-the-hill or retired players.

Expect to see some Indian names in it: Yuvraj, Sehwag etc.

Don't see that happening at all.

 

[Babeikh]

Will be absolutely abysmal cricket - mindless slogging by has beens or half hack rejects

 

[Cric_lover4487]

Will be absolutely abysmal cricket - mindless slogging by has beens or half hack rejects

There are already such leagues if i recall correctly. Why add one more?

 

[Babeikh]

There are already such leagues if i recall correctly. Why add one more?

Agreed.

Personally i am willing to accept the domestic franchise leagues in each country as a sad commercial reality....i follow the PSL and fleetingly the other leagues where Pakistanis are playing, don't even glance at the IPL (though i would glance to see how Pakistanis were doing if there were any). T20 is also now an established format so the leagues do serve a purpose.

But these random tamasha circus T10 leagues do not serve any purpose. Hope this league fails along with all the other T10 leagues.

 

[Smbhayi]

You really think Yuvraj or Sehwag will play a league organized by Afridi after his association with KPL? LOL. Both would lose any earning stream from BCCI in that case. Dont think any Indian player would participate in it.

They'd if this happening outside Pakistan..

 

[Saj]

I just hope it doesn't become a bit of a joke seeing some of the guys who were former legends, now struggling to hit the ball off the square.

 

[ChipShot]

I just hope it doesn't become a bit of a joke seeing some of the guys who were former legends, now struggling to hit the ball off the square.

They should use women's cricket ball, which is smaller and lighter, and fast outfields.

Club cricketers as substitute fielders for 5-6 very old players should be there at all times

 

[gani999]

Sounds like one of those fun leagues for over-the-hill or retired players.

Expect to see some Indian names in it: Yuvraj, Sehwag etc.

Indian players may be invited, but don't know if any of them will accept.

Sehwag most probably won't, but the likes of Sidhu, Yuvraj and Harbhajan may.

It will be fun to see Inzi take singles in this one. He wasn't a great runner even in his prime.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

I wonder how long these guys will try to leech off cricket.

I mean its not exactly as if they were underpaid during their career and need to keep playing to make some money.

Mushtaq and Inzi have held roles as coaches/selectors, Waaqar is a former head coach and commentator and Afridi has only retired two months ago.

Surely its a lesson to other cricketers to try and plan for their retirements a bit better if the only way for these guys to make money in their 50's is to jiggle their bellies while pretending to play cricket.

 

[Babeikh]

I wonder how long these guys will try to leech off cricket.

I mean its not exactly as if they were underpaid during their career and need to keep playing to make some money.

Mushtaq and Inzi have held roles as coaches/selectors, Waaqar is a former head coach and commentator and Afridi has only retired two months ago.

Surely its a lesson to other cricketers to try and plan for their retirements a bit better if the only way for these guys to make money in their 50's is to jiggle their bellies while pretending to play cricket.

It is also one of the reasons we are seeing cricketers and ex cricketers talk about bringing back departments - free money for them basically to do nothing

 

[Colorblind Genius]

What he TRULY needs to make it a success is to bring Wasim Akram for a very, very short appearance in one or two games every year. May be an over or two and nothing more.

The entire subcontinent cricket fanbase is reminiscent of watching Wasim in action.

 

[Birdman]

He should launch a anti aging pill. Looks like he has found the fountain of youth. He hasn't aged a bit.

 

[Varun]

What he TRULY needs to make it a success is to bring Wasim Akram for a very, very short appearance in one or two games every year. May be an over or two and nothing more.

The entire subcontinent cricket fanbase is reminiscent of watching Wasim in action.

Wasim Akram at age 55?

 

[Markhor]

I wonder how long these guys will try to leech off cricket.

I mean its not exactly as if they were underpaid during their career and need to keep playing to make some money.

Mushtaq and Inzi have held roles as coaches/selectors, Waaqar is a former head coach and commentator and Afridi has only retired two months ago.

Surely its a lesson to other cricketers to try and plan for their retirements a bit better if the only way for these guys to make money in their 50's is to jiggle their bellies while pretending to play cricket.

Bit harsh, it sounds like a harmless tournament for nostalgia sake.

It's better they set up their own league than continue to play forever in PSL and take spots of youngsters.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cricket Legendary Players Waqar Younis & Younis Khan have been categorically chosen in “Mahans” Category all set to perform each from their concerned teams Islamabad Royals & Karachi Knights<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/megastarsleague?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#megastarsleague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MSL2022?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MSL2022</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/shahidafridi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#shahidafridi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cricketleague?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cricketleague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MSL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MSL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MSLDrafting?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MSLDrafting</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamUp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamUp</a> <a href="https://t.co/pmY9cVUHZV">pic.twitter.com/pmY9cVUHZV</a></p>— Mega Stars League (@megastarsleague) <a href="https://twitter.com/megastarsleague/status/1557013512043511809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cricket Legendary Players Saeed Ajmal & Mushtaq Ahmed have been categorically chosen in “Mahans” Category all set to perform each from their concerned teams Lahore Mahrajas & Pindi Boys.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/megastarsleague?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#megastarsleague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MSL2022?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MSL2022</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/shahidafridi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#shahidafridi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cricketleague?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cricketleague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MSL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MSL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MSLDrafting?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MSLDrafting</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamUp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamUp</a> <a href="https://t.co/274XfUCbBV">pic.twitter.com/274XfUCbBV</a></p>— Mega Stars League (@megastarsleague) <a href="https://twitter.com/megastarsleague/status/1557013783352156161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cricket Legendary Players Misbah Ul Haq & Moin Khan have been categorically chosen in “Mahans” Category all set to perform each from their concerned teams Peshawar Pathans & Baloch Warriors.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/megastarsleague?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#megastarsleague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MSL2022?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MSL2022</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/shahidafridi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#shahidafridi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cricketleague?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cricketleague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MSL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MSL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MSLDrafting?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MSLDrafting</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamUp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamUp</a> <a href="https://t.co/RNKsQObwEO">pic.twitter.com/RNKsQObwEO</a></p>— Mega Stars League (@megastarsleague) <a href="https://twitter.com/megastarsleague/status/1557014016249176066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[zn426]

Wasim Akram at age 55?

I mean, he was bowling well back in 2015 at the all stars series.

 

[sweep_shot]

Too many cricket leagues nowadays. It is hard to keep track and keep the interest alive.

All the best to Afridi with his league though.

 

[hitthestump]

Wasim Akram at age 55?

The pace might be down but the swing will never leave him.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

I am fine with seeing legends play some non serious cricket among themselves once in a while. I just hope this tournament isn't more than 10 days long.

I used to enjoy beach cricket and double wicket tournaments as well.

Pakistan team with Afridi and Akram used to be unstoppable then.

 

[brokenrecord]

Interested to see which former players and athletes this league will actually benefit. Most of the big names here probably don’t need the financial support as such. Will have to see who makes up the rest of these teams and/or staff.

 

[MenInG]

Peshawar Pathans squad:

 

[MenInG]

Pindi Boys squad

 

[MenInG]

Misbah Ul Haq scores 35 for 15 and becomes the cricketainer of the day.

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/qjww0r" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

 

[jnaveen1980]

Not a surprise who started it lol He can even start 1-ball league too.

 

[MenInG]

Muhammad Hafeez scores 23 for only 9 and becomes a cricketainer of the day.

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/c4cv67" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

 

[moghul]

Hope to see emergence of some test batsmen from this.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan's former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq rolled back the clock with incredible power-hitting during Pakistan's Mega Stars League, as he smashed 29 off just 16 deliveries as he turned up for the Karachi Kings. Inzamam, batting with the same stance that once made him one of the best batters in Pakistan, hit all over the park during his brief stay at the crease, bamboozling the bowlers as well as his own teammates with his aggressive stroke-playing ability.

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/o6i97g" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

 

[WengerOut]

Wow.. Inzi still packs a punch

 

[greatest]

Why don't these retired budhaa players invite all their former friends and play in their home backyard.
All this is done to be in the limelight again. Why don't they invest their time and energy in some new endeavors in life. Yes, you all had a great career now move on!

 

[MenInG]

QUETTA: Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi laid the foundation stone of a cricket academy at the Sariab Sports Complex here on Monday.

The project is being established under Afridi’s Shahid Afridi Foundation in collaboration with the Government of Balochistan.

The province’s chief minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo was present in the ceremony along with members of Balochistan’s provincial assembly and his chief secretary Abdul Aziz Uqaili.

“I welcome Shahid Afridi on his arrival here,” Bizenjo said. “…today is a big day, on which we are providing a platform to the youth of the province to show their skills and performance.”


Bizenjo said his government will fully cooperate with the Shahid Afridi Foundation in making the academy — set to be built across the next three months — a successful project.

“I wish Balochistan to have its own cricket league,” said Afridi.

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2023