In 2024, Edgbaston Stadium will witness the grand launch of the World Champion's League (WCL), an exciting new global T20 cricket tournament created by Zabawa Entertainment, a Bollywood film and music media production company with a presence in India and Dubai.
The WCL will feature retired and non-contracted players from the cricket powerhouses of England, India, Pakistan, Australia, West Indies, and South Africa, reviving some of the sport's most iconic rivalries. Notably, it will bring back matchups like India vs. Pakistan, last contested at Edgbaston in 2017 during the Champions Trophy.
This visionary tournament is the brainchild of Mr. Harshit Tomar, Director of Zabawa Entertainment. Mr. Tomar expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “WCL is set to bring back the India-Pak rivalry of yesteryear stars and bring the greats from England, Australia, South Africa & West Indies. England has always been the home of cricket, and when it comes to Birmingham, it is home to many Indians and Pakistanis as well. We are looking forward to deliver ten days of Cricketainment to Fans Globally”.
Stuart Cain, Chief Executive at Edgbaston, shared his sentiments, saying, “We’ve staged some of the biggest games in world cricket and it will be great to see some of the heroes involved in those games back at Edgbaston.”
The tournament is slated to take place in the summer of 2024, pending approval from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the release of the English domestic schedule in November 2023. Edgbaston will serve as the venue for the key group matches, semi-finals, and the final, while some group stage games will be held at other grounds across Warwickshire.
The World Champion's League 2024 is generating immense excitement among cricket fans worldwide. The prospect of legendary players from cricket's powerhouses reigniting classic rivalries, such as India vs. Pakistan, or Australia vs England, promises an unforgettable and thrilling tournament. Edgbaston's iconic venue further adds to the excitement. This event is set to be a celebration of cricket's heritage and an exhilarating experience for fans globally.