Yusuf Pathan to feature in Hong Kong T20 league

Hong Kong, Feb 12: India discard Yusuf Pathan was on Saturday unveiled by Hong Kong's Kowloon Cantons franchise, making him the first Indian male cricketer to feature in an overseas Twenty20 league.

Yusuf is the third big signing for Kowloon Cantons after Pakistan's Shahid Afridi and England's Tymal Mills for the second edition of the Hong Kong Twenty20 league, slated to be held from March 8 to 12, according to an espncricinfo report.

Tim Cutler, chief executive of Cricket Hong Hong, thanked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for clearing Yusuf's participation in the tournament and said his presence will be a big boost for the game in the country.

"This is amazing news and we are very appreciative of the BCCI in granting this No-Objection Certificate (NOC)," he said.

"This will go a long way to help the development of the sport in the region and with even more stars still to be announced this is shaping up to be a superb tournament that will be enjoyed by millions across the world."

Other marquee signings for the league include Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan, West Indies' Darren Sammy, New Zealand's James Franklin and the former South Africa off-spinner Johan Botha.

The four-team event also includes Galaxy Gladiators Lantau, City Kaitak and Hong Kong Island United. The first four days will see play-off matches between each of the teams, following which the top two will progress to the final on March 12.