International Player Registrations open for Kadak Premier League
Hosts U-Pro have opened registrations to international players for the franchised-based tournament taking place in Dubai this October, which is being held directly after the World Cup. An unprecedented 22 players will be picked via points-based auction and a fully-funded trip to the competition is on offer for selected players.
The Kadak Premier League is inviting registrations for International Players to compete in the sixth instalment of the richest indoor cricket tournament, which will be held at the U-Pro Indoor Sports Centre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 9-12 October.
Whereas 11 players from five countries competed as overseas players in last year’s tournament, and 10 in 2023, the 2025 competition will feature 27 players in total, with 22 in the Men’s Division and five in the Women’s Division.
All men’s international players who register will be entered into a points-based (non-monetary) auction, following which team owners will bid for players using points allocated to them. Women’s players will be picked directly from all registered entries.
For players who are selected, U-Pro will fully fund all travel, accommodation and other costs relating to the tournament, ensuring all international players will not bear the cost of participating at the tournament.
The tournament will take place directly after this year’s World Cup, scheduled to be held in Colombo from 27 September to 4 October. Players selected from the auction, who are in any of their national sides, will travel from Colombo to Dubai following the conclusion of the World Cup to appear at the tournament.
The tournament has gained notable traction for its cash prize pool, which last year was USD 22,000. This included USD 9,000 for the winning Category A side, and cash prizes for other awards including player of the series, player of each match, best international player, and rising star player amongst others.
Last year, U-Pro, who also hosts the Club World Series, brought in a host of notable international players, with New Zealand’s Victor Davies, Australian legends Robert Fitzgerald and Vinesh Bennett, and recently reselected Australian representatives Brock Winkler, Tyler Hays and Sam Dwyer amongst the player group.
The tournament is held over four days and is unique for featuring matches which are eight overs per side, as opposed to the standard 16 overs, a common occurrence in tournaments in the UAE. In order to maximise the participation of players, the tournament will take place a few days after the completion of the World Cup, with Colombo being in close proximity to Dubai.
U-Pro’s Managing Director, Manish Kishore, identified inclusivity, experience and knowledge as key factors for bringing international players over to the UAE for the tournament.
“The game lacks inclusivity. Players are only playing within their centres, states or country at best This competition not only helps them play the game with UAE-based players, but helps them pass on their knowledge and experience within the teams they player for. At the same time, this format helps international players adapt to tougher conditions” said Kishore.
International player registrations will remain open until 31 July with the date of the auction to be confirmed.
International Player Registration Link - Kadak Premier League
Image: KPL - Kadak Premier League
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