Moeen Ali, Evin Lewis, and Chris Woakes among other star players signed by Sharjah Warriors for the upcoming ILT20

England’s star all-rounder Moeen Ali has been signed up by the Sharjah Warriors for the upcoming first edition of the International League T20 (ILT20). Apart from Moeen Ali, the Warriors have also signed up some big names, including Dawid Malan, Evin Lewis, Mohammad Nabi, and Chris Woakes, among others.

It must be noted that Moeen was also recently picked by the Johannesburg Super Kings for South Africa’s brand new T20 league, which is expected to clash with the ILT20 in January-February next year. Similarly, team England is also slated to play a white-ball series against South Africa during that period as well, which has got the franchises thinking about the availability of their star player.

It has not been easy putting together a squad when the top IPL sides are also in search of players: Sharjah Warriors coach

Meanwhile, Sharjah Warriors have expressed their happiness over the signing of some prominent international players. “It has not been easy putting together a squad when the top IPL sides are also in search of players. The players tend to prefer IPL sides, particularly because it may open doors for the IPL. But we are happy with the final composition of the squad. We have a few quality international all-rounders in Moeen, (Mohammad) Nabi and Chris Woakes, in-form batsman in Dawid Malan, and explosive opening batter in Evin Lewis,” R Sridhar, the coach of Sharjah Warriors, was quoted by Cricbuzz.

“Our Afghanistan players like (Rahmanullah) Gurbaz, Naveen (ul-Haq), and Noor (Ahmed) are extremely well versed in the UAE conditions, especially Sharjah. Add to the mix a few explosive finishers in Chris Benjamin, Tom Cadmore, and a mystery spinner in Mark Deyal. The two left-arm pacers in, JJ Smit and Bilal khan complete the line-up. We’re extremely happy,” he added.

Warriors franchise is owned by Capri Global, a non-banking financial company based in India. The franchise is also expected to draft four UAE players soon as well. To note, the league will allow nine overseas players to participate in each game.

Sharjah Warriors squad so far: Moeen Ali (Eng), Dawid Malan (Eng), Evin Lewis (WI), Mohammad Nabi (Afg), Chris Woakes (Eng), Noor Ahmad (Afg), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afg), Naveen-ul-Haq (Afg), Tom Kohler-Cadmore (Eng, uncapped), Chris Benjamin (Eng uncapped), Danny Briggs (Eng), Mark Deyal (WI, uncapped), Bilal Khan (Oman), JJ Smit (Namibia)