“This time the total prize money is increased to around Dh27,000 and a total of 12 teams are participating,” Dubai Cricket Council honorary secretary Mohammed Lokhandwala said at a press conference at the Imperial Suites here on Thursday night.

“The tournament will be held in two phases. A total of 11 matches will be played during Ramadan, while the remaining 12 games will be held after Ramadan. The break is in view of the maintenance work at the ICC grounds,” he added.

He thanked I.P. Khaitan and Nalin Khaitan, directors of Interface Transworld for their continued support for cricket.

I.P. Khaitan, who sponsored the UAE team which qualified for the 1996 World Cup cricket team, said he was happy to extend his company’s support to the DCC tournament.  Nalin said: “We are very happy to be supporting DCC and our aim is to help develop the game among the youngsters here. Our team is also participating in this tournament.”

A total of four overseas players are allowed and the organizers expect some international cricketers from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to play in the Twenty20 tourney.

Defending champions Phoenix Medicine, runners-up Yogi Group will face tough competition from the likes of Eurocon and Ibsons.

The new entrants are UAE Exchange, Wings group and Dollar Rent a Car.  

During Ramadan, all the matches will start at 8.30pm and finish at 11.30pm. The timing for games after Ramadan is set at 7.30-10.30pm.

pradeep@khaleejtimes.com

Teams

Group A: Yogi Group, Seven Seas Strikers, Ibsons Cricket Club and Farooq Cricket Club

Group B: Phoenix Medicine, Nucaf Tellicherry, Interface Transworld and UAE Exchange.

Group C: Eurocon, Dollar rent a car, Wings Group and Fly Emirates