The Ninety-90 Bash : New format and new league announced in UAE

[MenInG]

ABU DHABI: Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), has approved a new international cricket league called the 90-Ninety Bash.

The signing ceremony was held in Abu Dhabi.

ECB vice-chairman, Mr Khalid Zarooni, President and CEO of ARY Digital Network, Mr Salman Iqbal, Mr Abdul Rehman Bukhatir, Mr Khalaf Bukhatir and General Secretary Abu Dhabi Sports Council Mr Aref Al Awani witnessed the signing ceremony.

The agreement signed between Sharjah-based Century Events, Sports FZC and Emirates Cricket Board is a first-of-its-kind exciting 90-ball annual cricket league to be held in Sharjah. The inaugural tournament is scheduled for 2022.

With an aptly named working title, The Ninety-90 Bash is the collective brainchild of three leading regional entrepreneurs; Salman Iqbal, President and CEO of ARY Digital Network, Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, Chairman of the Bukhatir Group, and Imran Chaudhry.

The three leaders all share a common passion for the game of cricket, and they have come together to put their considerable weight behind this exciting new cricket tournament.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Salman Iqbal said, “Sport has evolved over the years and the time has come for cricket to take another leap of faith. We believe we have something brand new to offer and the entire team expects the tournament to be a grand success.”

Chairman of the Bukhatir Group Abdul Rahman Bukhatir said, “This new exciting format could be instrumental in creating a brand new fan base for the sport, not just in the UAE, but across the globe.”

ECB Vice Chairman Mr Khalid Zarooni said that they were looking forward to the new tournament.

“We are very proud to sign this deal. And look forward to an annual tournament that is entertaining,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention here that the preparations for the league are in full swing. Several well-known global business houses and cricketing icons, players are already set to sign on.

ARY

 

[Last Monetarist]

Can't wait for some chumps to announce 30-ball and 10-ball tournaments in the future.

I hope the ECB goes bankrupt for the crime of inventing T20 cricket and then defacing that further with the Hundred.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

The Circus continues. More opportunities for the bookies.

 

[MenInG]

Can't wait for some chumps to announce 30-ball and 10-ball tournaments in the future.

I hope the ECB goes bankrupt for the crime of inventing T20 cricket and then defacing that further with the Hundred.

Remember this - ARY guys ran off in a huff from T10 so probably their way of making a name for themselves.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Can't wait for some chumps to announce 30-ball and 10-ball tournaments in the future.

I hope the ECB goes bankrupt for the crime of inventing T20 cricket and then defacing that further with the Hundred.

This is a different ECB. It's Emirates Cricket Board.

 

[Last Monetarist]

This is a different ECB. It's Emirates Cricket Board.

Of course, but my point relates to the original sin by the England and Wales Cricket Board. The horrifying marketing gimmicks with the Hundred have just opened the floodgates for every two-bit cricket administrator.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Of course, but my point relates to the original sin by the England and Wales Cricket Board. The horrifying marketing gimmicks with the Hundred have just opened the floodgates for every two-bit cricket administrator.

T20 was fine especially at the domestic level. But after the first wt20, other boards went in its favor as well due to the massive financial incentives. Not to forget, IPL was started to sort of contain the rival ICL and every board threw their support behind BCCI cause their players were signing with ICL.
T20 was already played at u19 level way in Pak way before England introduced it as a tournament.

The other gimmicky formats they have been trying to create are now just pushing it. T10, 3TC and now the hundred and the 9090.
Hundred is such a stupid idea though and there isn't much difference between t20 and a 100 match in terms of reducing the time for a game either. Don't see it taking off well.

 

[Varun]

If you reduce the balls in an innings it's only fair that you reduce the number of players as well - why do you need so many batsmen and bowlers?

And once you knock them off, might as well call yourself another sport.

 

[MenInG]

Question is how many different versions of the game can we make without turning off audiences and sponsors totally!

 

[King-Misbah]

I don't understand why people are so bitter about T20 cricket? Evidently, more people enjoy T20 matches over Tests and this is due to the fact that T20 is more in line with current pace of life.

 

[Saj]

Innovations.

Worth a try I guess.

Will appeal to some, but not Test-lovers.

 

[silentkiller187]

i honestly thought 90 was the number of overs, a play on the test match concept, this is just a rip off of the 100 , which is a rip off of t20, where does it stop, players going to have to learn lots of different rules it seems.

 

[Saurav]

Waiting for T-toss league

 

[ElRaja]

i honestly thought 90 was the number of overs, a play on the test match concept, this is just a rip off of the 100 , which is a rip off of t20, where does it stop, players going to have to learn lots of different rules it seems.

thats what i thought too. i wouldnt have a problem if someone was being original, but these leagues are just lazy copies.

 

[Titan24]

If you reduce the balls in an innings it's only fair that you reduce the number of players as well - why do you need so many batsmen and bowlers?

And once you knock them off, might as well call yourself another sport.

Agreed. Even in T10 they play with full 11, atleast the batting side of the things should be restricted to 5-7 down to atleast have some sort of risk and reward coming into play to make it interesting.

 

[ElRaja]

Agreed. Even in T10 they play with full 11, atleast the batting side of the things should be restricted to 5-7 down to atleast have some sort of risk and reward coming into play to make it interesting.

double wicket cricket was the bomb, remember watching it on ptv when i was a kid. wasim and shahid versus razzaq and mahmood. those were the good old days.

 

[MenInG]

All quiet on this front. With 100 starting off, many new formats will also come up - might as well grin and bear it!

 

[Zeshan547]

Rip cricket, kya mazaq bna dia hai cricket ka. I guess time to move on to footy or something else.

 

[unemployedgm]

These leagues are nothing more than get rich quick schemes for the organizers. They have no value to either the spectator or the sport. Who benefits? The organizer, the players and the coaches.

Cricket suffers because the majority of cricket on the calendar is meaningless and disconnected. That lack of context is holding the game back.

 

[SangasCoverDrive]

This obsession with “targeting new fans” is gonna kill cricket

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Not really sold on the concept. I think 88-eighty eight sounds a lot better and could target the massive chinese market as its a lucky number for them.

 

[Bewal Express]

As i kid I used to play in the 8 over tournament with 8 balls an over. I actually think the best format for the shorter games is 25 overs.

 

[OMB]

This getting sillier by the moment.
Launching a league? Want it to be different? Just change the number of balls to be bowled
This has got to stop really.
Stats would be distorted and be incomparable over different eras

 

[Bewal Express]

This getting sillier by the moment.
Launching a league? Want it to be different? Just change the number of balls to be bowled
This has got to stop really.
Stats would be distorted and be incomparable over different eras

Let the audience decide, its not obligatory to watch. It's because of these innovations we have limited overs like 50 and 20.

 

[thelandofthebravepeople]

Watched a few games of the 100. Pretty entertaining. I don't mind if ECB want this as their premiere short format league like Pakistan have PSL.

The Idea that the short format of the game should not take too long can work with the 100. T20 is also good enough.

I can't understand people here complaining? Once upon a time there used to be timeless test matches. Than there used to be 6 day test matches. Then 5 day test matches. Now there is 4 day test matches. Do you guys see the pattern?

How many of you watch domestic 4 day cricket? From day 1 to day 4? Every ball? How many watch ODI domestic games?

T20 cricket is the best thing that happened. Especially for the players. They can now go around the world and play cricket and see the world. Before it was only for the once who were part of national team.

The 100 could work as well for England and the few games I have seen the spectators has enjoyed it. The Idea of double headers with women playing first is genius.

Problem with T10 is that it's too short for 11 players.

90/90 might work. Time will tell.

 

[Marathonrunner]

Watched a few games of the 100. Pretty entertaining. I don't mind if ECB want this as their premiere short format league like Pakistan have PSL.

The Idea that the short format of the game should not take too long can work with the 100. T20 is also good enough.

I can't understand people here complaining? Once upon a time there used to be timeless test matches. Than there used to be 6 day test matches. Then 5 day test matches. Now there is 4 day test matches. Do you guys see the pattern?

How many of you watch domestic 4 day cricket? From day 1 to day 4? Every ball? How many watch ODI domestic games?

T20 cricket is the best thing that happened. Especially for the players. They can now go around the world and play cricket and see the world. Before it was only for the once who were part of national team.

The 100 could work as well for England and the few games I have seen the spectators has enjoyed it. The Idea of double headers with women playing first is genius.

Problem with T10 is that it's too short for 11 players.

90/90 might work. Time will tell.

I believe every organiser wants to stamps his importance so they are coming up with this fancy leagues . Unless there are superstars and crowd such events would never click and would be 1 day wonder .

 

[Cricketrenew]

I don't understand why people are so bitter about T20 cricket? Evidently, more people enjoy T20 matches over Tests and this is due to the fact that T20 is more in line with current pace of life.

Agree T20 has been great for bringing cricket to more people.
The are too many leagues.... IPL. PSL. Big Bash, CPL, ECB version....... two many players crossing brands.

It needs to be toned down and made into a international club tournament ie champions league in football and players having to stick to one team. Currently its getting bit mundane ... repititive.

 

[Cricketrenew]

Regarding T20 and Test Cricket... again Test Cricket is too random meaning less tours, it needs to be organised into a tighter world format where each team plays minimum 3 tests per team.

 

[sweep_shot]

This is now getting ridiculous.

Formats are being introduced like candies.

What's next?

 

[gazza619]

For a moment I thought it was 90 overs each side.

 

[hitthestump]

Not really sold on the concept. I think 88-eighty eight sounds a lot better and could target the massive chinese market as its a lucky number for them.

88 has another, slightly more controversial link to it too.

 

[hitthestump]

The Circus continues. More opportunities for the bookies.

Everyone is making money out of these leagues, not just the bookies. They exist to serve no other purpose but financial.

 

[Babeikh]

Am presuming this will be 15 overs a side.

All seems a bit nonsensical to me. T20 is fine. Stop tinkering.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

88 has another, slightly more controversial link to it too.

Might be able to capture the Yorkshire market in that case.

 

[thelandofthebravepeople]

International cricket will go extinct(bilateral) in the future. It will be reduced to ICC tournaments. Big series like Ashes etc. will still happen.

Cricket going football rout.

 

[Kaddy]

Next one should be:

50 - Fifty

 

[MenInG]

Ninety-90 Bash to be held in May-June 2022

Sharjah (December 1, 2021):-The first Ninety-90 cricket fixture will be held in May and June next year 2022 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium under the banner of Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) that runs under the control of Chairman ECB Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, who is also minister of Tolerance and Coexistence of United Arabs Emirates (UEA).

The event will be organized Sharjah Cricket Council (SCC) in collaboration with Century Events and Sports. The Ninety-90 Bash is the collective brainchild of three leading regional entrepreneurs – the father of UAE cricket Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, Salman Iqbal, CEO of the ARY Group, and Imran Chaudhry, managing director of the Cinergie Group of companies.

Preparations for the Ninety-90 Bash are in full swing. Several renowned global business houses and cricketing icons and players are all set to sign on, bringing together a heady mix of iconic cricketing stars and emerging players to be a part of this 90-ball an innings tournament. The Ninety-90 Bash offers local cricket fans in the Emirates a timely, fantastic, and undoubtedly thrilling tournament.

Khalaf Bukhatir, CEO of Sharjah Stadium said:

“Having recently hosted some of the most exciting games in the IPL and T20 World Cup, we have witnessed the growing interest in the shorter format. With the Ninety-90 bash, we are looking forward to sustaining the momentum and giving cricket fans in the UAE what they want---sharp, edgy and action-packed cricketing action from some of the biggest names who thrive in these shorter formats of the game”.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Waiting for T-toss league

India would loss every game )

 

[Marathonrunner]

Seems like corona’s impact and loss of games has made UAE merrier. Not sure if there would be any takers for this league . 100 also did not generate that much interest in UK

 

[Bilal Ahmad15]

Question is how many different versions of the game can we make without turning off audiences and sponsors totally!

I'm sure a lot of audiences and cricket fans have given up, first with the repetitive and too much T20s, now the new formats that are really ruining cricket more.

How does ICC have no control over these things?

 

[globalcitizen]

Is there a viewership for these tournaments in uae? I have only seen couple of match highlights of t10 on YouTube. Every match looks the same and you can't remember any good moments from a match.
Long term sustainability without viewership is a big issue for these tournaments

 

[Marathonrunner]

Is there a viewership for these tournaments in uae? I have only seen couple of match highlights of t10 on YouTube. Every match looks the same and you can't remember any good moments from a match.
Long term sustainability without viewership is a big issue for these tournaments

Agree. There is no recall factor nor any sense of loyalty in this matches . I tried watching but could not stand more than 5 overs . It’s just like teams are forcibly playing to fulfil the sponsors. Same thing for 100 as well . It was too monotonous and boring.

 

[Fahdi]

Waiting for the double wicket league

 

[Saurav]

India would loss every game )

not with Rohit as captain now

 

[TeamPak95]

I don't eat KFC, but this format is like the Cheetos Sandwich of cricket. T10 is like pineapple pizza. The hundred is like... I don't even know . Like I get it, money, but like can these higher ups put down the caffeine?