Former Pakistan bowling legend Wasim Akram is spearheading cricket’s latest venture into the American market as brand ambassador of the National Cricket League’s (NCL) “Sixty Strikes” tournament, bringing an exciting T10 format to US shores.
Wasim Akram to explore Cricket’s new venture
The tournament has assembled an impressive roster of cricket stars, including Shahid Afridi, Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik, and Shakib Al Hasan, creating a unique blend of retired legends and active players competing in the fast-paced format.
“This is the best format if you want to globalize the game, especially in America,” Akram declared from the tournament sidelines. “So far, this league has got a lot of success and surely this will going to get better. This sport is ready to take on America and it is a big thing for NCL.”
Unique appeal for cricket, says Wasim Akram
Drawing comparisons with America’s favourite pastime, Akram highlighted cricket’s unique appeal: “Look, I don’t watch baseball much, but there is no doubt that baseball is a great game but cricket has speed. There’s action on every ball, especially in this format. In baseball, we talk about home runs but here, we talk about sixes.”
The excitement was on full display in recent matches, with New York Lions’ Upul Tharanga and Mohammad Hafeez delivering a spectacular 74-run opening partnership. Despite posting a challenging 125/7, the Lions fell to Dallas Lonestars in a thrilling chase, with Sohaib Maqsood and Samit Patel leading the victory charge.
The tournament’s success suggests cricket might finally be finding its footing in the American sporting landscape, with the T10 format’s rapid-fire action serving as the perfect introduction for new fans.
