Masters Champions League

Masters Champion League is a Twenty20 cricket League. The tournament was made up of six teams in the first year with a total of 90 players taking part – 15 members per squad. The MCL has received a 10 year approval from the Emirates Cricket Board, and inaugural season of the tournament took place over two weeks in Dubai and Sharjah.

Gemini Arabians won the inaugural edition of Masters Champions League by defeating Leo Lions in the final by 16 runs. Gemini Arabians remained unbeaten in their campaign and were rightly crowned champions of the inaugural edition. Leo, who lost 3 for 3 at the start and then 5 for 6 in the later half, didn’t stand a chance as Gemini Paceman were all over them with Rana Naved picking up a hat-trick, finishing with astonishing figures for 4 for 9.

This setting was tailor made for Lara to step up and lead from the front after a poor tournament so far, with a highest of 8. He, along with Hamish Marshall forged a stand for the fourth wicket to get the chase on course. This time, Lara seemed to have found his feet and brought up a 50 run stand with Marshall before he limped away, retiring hurt with a hamstring injury with 53 on the board.

Man of the match was awarded to Rana Naved and Man of the tournament was awarded to Kumar Sangakkara. Retired Sri Lankan scored 386 runs in with five half centuries in seven matches. Retired Sri Lankan Muralitharan took 15 wickets in six matches. 

Retired Cricketers in 2015

2015 is the year where a lot of experienced players and iconic players have been retired which will miss by a lot of cricket lovers in World Cricket. Here is the list of Cricketers who retired in 2015.

Michael Clarke: (All Formats) The Skipper of Australia in both formats had called his career off in 2015. Retired after memorable 2015 World Cup Championship but unfortunately lost in Ashes Test before retirement.

Brad Haddin: (All Formats) The Wicket Keeping batsman from Australia also retired from Cricket in 2015 along with Michael Clarke in ODI after World Cup and also in Tests after Ashes.

Shane Watson: (Test Cricket) An all-rounder from Australia who is blessed with rich all round abilities but unfortunately could not showcase his talent in the middle. His trouble with in-swinging deliveries is spot on which made him trouble in this format of game.

Chris Rogers: (All Formats) The Veteran Cricketer who only represented for Australia in Tests also announced his retirement in 2015. He had not been picked in the squad for many years as the Australia team is having golden players in their side.

Ryan Harris: (All Formats) Harris the one of the reason for Australia to lose against England in Ashes Test Series. His ankle injury made him to take the decision of retirement. One of the successful bowlers for Australia.

Shahid Afridi: (Test and ODI) Big hitter from Pakistan also retired in this year after their elimination from World Cup 2015. He had a glorious career as an All-rounder for Pakistan.

Kumar Sangakkara: (All Formats) The legendary cricketer called time on his career in all formats of the game in 2015.

Mahela Jayawardene: (All Formats) Another Sri Lanka Great called time of his career after 2015 World Cup.

Zaheer Khan: (All Formats) Indian legendary bowler recently retired from Cricket this year in October. Zaheer had been facing injury from a long time. He was not able to bowl as he was bowling in his earlier phase of Cricket.

Virender Sehwag: (All Formats) He put curtains on a remarkable career in which he scored 17,253 international runs across formats. Sehwag is the only Indian batsman to score a triple century in Tests and he did it twice.

Mitchell Johnson: (All Formats) One of the most shocking decisions of retirement. Johnson announced retirement from International Cricket in November in a test series against New Zealand. He was not able to maintain his speed and was not effective since the Ashes.

Some other Cricketers who retired from International Cricket are Matt Prior (All Formats), Brendon McCullum (All Formats), Daniel Vettori (All Formats), Shoaib Malik (Test), Ian Bell (ODI), Craig Kieswetter (All Formats), Misbah-ul-haq (ODI), Alex Cusack (All Formats), John Mooney (All Formats), Brendan Taylor (All Formats), Ramesh Powar, and Kyle Mills (All Formats).