Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag will be facing off against the Pakistani trio of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar once more: this time in the commentary box as part of the expert panel for the upcoming season of ILT20.
The ILT20 organisers revealed their star-studded commentary panel via a video on social media recently. Besides the former Pakistan fast-bowling trio, ex-India off spinner Harbhajan Singh was also part of the panel.
The clip shows the Pakistani trio and Sehwag engaging in banter.
Akhter started the conversation by calling Sehwag a “gentle off-spinner” in a good-natured jibe.
Akhter continued: “Don’t be afraid, Veeru. The last time the three of us (Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar) were playing, you were cleaning your spectacles on the field.”
To this, Sehwag, who made a name for himself for hammering opposition bowlers as an opener, retorted: “I wear contact lenses now… to look at your beautiful face.”
Later, when it is revealed that Harbhajan will also be part of the commentary panel, Sehwag remarked: “Are there only bowlers allowed in this commentary panel? No worries, tum sabke liye mai akela hi kaafi hoon (For you guys, I’m enough)”
Heading into #NayeSaalKaPehlaChallenge with some epic banter in the commentary box! 🎙
Enjoy our Knights’ game with these legends behind the mic in DP World #ILT20 Season 2 – starting from Jan 19! #WeareADKR #AbuDhabiKnightRiders pic.twitter.com/inNcOR8o9S
— Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (@ADKRiders) January 9, 2024
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The commentary panel for the league will also include former cricketers like Saba Karim, Rohan Gavaskar, Alan Wilkins, Simon Doull, Daren Ganga besides former India captain Anjum Chopra along with Reema Malhotra and Natalie Germanos.
The tournament begins on January 19 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium with a clash between defending champions Gulf Giants and Sharjah Warriors.
Players like David Warner, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Ambati Rayudu, Corey Anderson, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Trent Boult, Dasun Shanaka, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sam Billings, David Willey, Alex Hales, Tom Curran, Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, James Vince, Chris Woakes and Martin Guptill are slated to play in Season 2 of the International League T20.