T20 Masters Champions League: How to watch on Sky Sports
Brian Lara leads cricketing legends set to play in T20 Masters tournament to be streamed live on Sky Sports' digital platforms...
But what is the tournament all about? Who else is playing, and for what teams? And have any ex-England internationals have signed up? Here is all you need to know before the competition kicks off on January 28.
THE FORMAT
This is the inaugural Masters Champions League (MCL), set up by Pakistan-born Zafar Shah, a cricket enthusiast and entrepreneur, so that many of the top cricket legends that had left international cricket prior to the launch of the Twenty20, could compete in the format.
Six teams named after six of the zodiac signs compete against one another once in the tournament to be held in the United Arab Emirates, with the top four in the table after five games progressing through to the semi-finals, and ultimately the final in Dubai on February 13.
PLAYER AUCTION
With a total budget of US $750,000 to spend on players, two 'legend' players were bought by each team for a combined $100,000 before the auction, while six 'icon' players, with a base price set at $100,000, were bid for to be spread out among the six teams.
Former South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis attracted the highest bid of $175,000 by the Libra Legends, ex-Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist was the second most expensive, purchased for $170,000 by the Sagittarius Strikers and Paul Collingwood the most expensive Englishman at $140,000, brought by the Capricorn Commanders.
LIVE STREAM ON SKY SPORTS digital platforms
Thursday 28 January
Libra Legends v Gemini Arabians, Dubai, 3.30pm
Friday 29 January
Capricorn Commanders v Leo Lions, Dubai, 11am
Virgo Super Kings v Sagittarius Strikers, Dubai, 3.30pm
Saturday 30 January
Gemini Arabians v Leo Lions, Dubai, 11am
Sagittarius Strikers v Capricorn Commanders, Dubai, 3.30pm
Wednesday 3 February
Libra Legends v Virgo Super Kings, Sharjah, 11am
Gemini Arabians v Capricorn Commanders, Sharjah, 3.30pm
Thursday 4 February
Libra Legends v Sagittarius Strikers, Sharjah, 11am
Leo Lions v Virgo Super Kings, Sharjah, 3.30pm
Friday 5 February
Sagittarius Strikers v Gemini Arabians, Sharjah, 11am
Capricorn Commanders v Libra Legends, Sharjah, 3.30pm
Saturday 6 February
Gemini Arabians v Virgo Super Kings, Sharjah, 11am
Leo Lions v Sagittarius Strikers, Sharjah, 3.30pm
Sunday 7 February
Virgo Super Kings v Capricorn Commanders, Sharjah, 11am
Libra Legends v Leo Lions, Sharjah, 3.30pm
Thursday 11 February
Semi-final 1 (1st place v 4th place), Dubai, 3.30pm
Friday 12 February
Semi-final 2 (2nd place v 3rd place), Dubai, 3.30pm
Saturday 13 February
Final, Dubai, 3.30pm
Watch live streams from the Masters Champions League on Sky Sports' digital platforms where you can also keep up-to-date with all the latest news throughout the tournament.