Gilchrist, Kallis fetch top price at MCL auction

South African legend Jacques Kallis was bought at a handsome price of USD 175,000 while former Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist fetched an impressive amount of USD 170,000 at the Masters Champions League (MCL) auction, here on Monday.

The league is for the top international cricketers of yester years.

Brian Lara was sold to Leo Lions for USD 100,000 while former England captain Paul Collingwood went for USD 140,000 to Capricorn Commanders. Brett Lee was taken by Virgo Super Kings for USD 100,000 while Muttiah Muralitharan went to Gemini Arabians for USD 120,000. The tournament will be played in January, 2016.

There were a total of 12 marquee players, who were allocated to the teams before the auction. Abdul Razzaq and Michael Vaughan (Capricorn Commanders); Scott Styris and Heath Streak (Leo Lions); Sourav Ganguly and Graeme Swann (Libra Legends); Virender Sehwag and Kumar Sangakkara (Gemini Arabians); Mahela Jayawardene and Daniel Vettori (Sagittarius Soldiers); Graeme Smith and Azhar Mahmood (Virgo Super Kings).

The owner of the team Sagittarius Soldiers is Ashfaq Sheikh of Orange Limited. Capricorn Commanders is co-owned by actor Sohail Khan and Pervez Khan. Libra Legends is owned by Popcorn Sports and Entertainment Private Limited while Gemini Arabians owned by Khaitan Holdings.

Virgo Super Kings, owned by Rhiti Sports while Leo Lions, owned by Manyata Dutt and Family. The marquee list features two each from Pakistan, India, England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka, one each from South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Briefly commenting, Zarah Shah, MCL CEO, said,”Our main aim is to take cricket to a higher level across the UAE and we believe that the response we have received in participation for the event is a great step forward in the right direction. The franchise owners and players are excited to see the turnout over the auction.”