DALLAS — The University of Texas at Dallas and the National Cricket League (NCL) are partnering to bring the Sixty Strikes Tournament to North Texas in October.
Now, you may be wondering: What is the Sixty Strikes Tournament?
To hear the NCL tell it, it's a big deal. A press release announcing its arrival said the tournament, which is set to span 11 days throughout October, will feature the biggest names in the sport -- including six teams of international stars, the press release said.
The games in the tournament will also move more quickly than traditional cricket matches. According to the NCL, the Sixty Strikes format offers a more condensed, fast-paced version of the traditional game of cricket that allows players to be more competitive and score more. In this format, each game lasts about 90 minutes.
“The NCL USA is reimagining cricket as a global entertainment phenomenon, combining athleticism with the glamour of Bollywood,” NCL USA Chairman Arun Agarwal said in the press release. “We’re building a world-class venue to host this exciting new era of cricket. North Texas is about to experience a cricket revolution. It's cricket meets Coachella!”
Why host it at UT Dallas? University President Richard C. Benson said it just makes sense, as many members of the UT Dallas community plays and follows the game.
"We are excited for the opportunity to host alumni and supporters and to introduce newcomers to our university," Benson said in the press release.
And, yes, even Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is hyped about it, calling the tournament an amazing opportunity to get not just Texas, but the United States as a whole, more intertwined in the sport of cricket.
"Our great state has welcomed the Major League Cricket and National Cricket League USA -- both of which have a presence and teams in North Texas," Abbott said in the press release. "As cricket expands its global fanbase, Texas will hold front-row seats to its growth across the nation."
The tournament will take place from Oct. 4 through Oct. 14 at UT Dallas this fall. To learn more about the NCL and the Sixty Strikes Tournament, head here.
