Shoaib, Pollock join IPL

NEW DELHI: Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, South African pacer Shaun Pollock and New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram have joined $3 million Indian Premier League (IPL), taking the total number of players who have signed for April’s first edition to 25.

“To have ‘Rawalpindi Express’ (Akhtar) play for an India club-team, together with a cricketer as talented as Pollock will be a dream come true for cricket loving Indian fans,” said IPL Chairman & Commissioner Lalit Modi here on Tuesday.

“It also once again reiterates our commitment to create a tournament that will showcase some of best talent in the world. I am very excited about inaugural season of IPL, which now looks all set to kick off in April 2008,” said Modi, who is also a Vice-President of Board of Control for Cricket India (BCCI) and president Rajasthan Cricket Association.

The players who have earlier signed to play in IPL include Shane Warne, Glen McGrath, Justin Langer, Mahela Jayawardene, Graeme Smith, Herschelle Gibbs, AB de Villiers, Ashwell Prince, Albie Morkel, Mohammed Yousuf, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sanath Jayasuriya, Chaminda Vaas, Daniel Vettori, Stephen Fleming and Scott Styris.

IPL will feature eight teams in first season, with each team playing seven home and away games against one another, taking total number of matches to 56. This will be followed by semifinals between top four teams and final. The matches will be played between 7 pm and 10 pm, which is expected to bring in lots of crowds.

Interest is bound to grow in IPL as India recently won Twenty20World Championship in South Africa last month,” he explained.