Kings XI players to play in Emirates Airline Twenty20 tourney

New Delhi:

Indian Premier League team Kings XI Punjab players will participate in the Emirates Airline Twenty20 tournament organised by the Arabian Cricket Challenge to be held in UAE next year.

The young emerging talents from Kings XI will play for Emirates Airline, the title sponsor of the team in the IPL, in the two-day long tournament starting March 19.

The event -- Emirates Airline Twenty20 cricket tournament -- will also feature England's Twenty20 Cup holders and NatWest Pro40 champions Sussex in a four-team challenger event.

Other two teams include English County club Surrey and local Fly Emirates XI.

"We are committed to supporting the sport of cricket and promoting it worldwide by creating opportunities for Kings XI Punjab fans all over the world to experience their favourite team," Anil Srivatsa, Kings XI Punjab CEO, said in a release.

"This is the first of many such ways to reach out to the fans, and Kings XI Punjab is looking forward to playing in the inaugural Emirates Airline Twenty20," he added.

However, the release did not mention the name of the players who will participate in the cash-rich tournament.

Star players like India's Yuvraj Singh, Australian pacer Brett Lee and Sri Lankan batting duo Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakarra play for the Kings XI Punjab in the IPL.