Stage is set for Indian Cue Masters League

Bengaluru, August 19: Bengaluru boy Pankaj Advani is the star attraction of the inaugural Cue-Slam Indian Cue Masters League (ICML), which will commence at the Rajpath Club in Ahmedabad on Saturday (August 19).

The league, which is the cricket's equivalent of Indian Premier League has five sides in it --Bengaluru Buddies, Chennai Strikers, Hyderabad Hustlers, Delhi Dons and Gujarat Kings --with five players in each team (1 icon, 1 women and 3 men with the stipulation that at least three of them are Indians).

It is to be played on a round robin cum knock-out format. Each tie will consist of five matches with three 6-Red snooker and two 9-Ball pool matches per tie.

Pankaj will turn up for the Chennai Strikers franchise and he will take on Gujarat Kings' marquee player Andrew Pagett of Wales in the opening 6-Red match.

"A format like this will excite the fans and I see it becoming a very popular sport very soon.

"India has many highly talented players but they haven't had the platform to showcase their skills till now," said Pankaj.

Sony ESPN will telecast the matches from 6 pm (IST) onwards.

1 more day to go! Gonna be playing for this 🏆 #ChennaiStrikerss #CueSlam .. Don't miss the action on Sony ESPN 6-8:30pm, Aug 19-25! 🎱 pic.twitter.com/6IsTe0nc8t

— Pankaj Advani (@PankajAdvani247) August 18, 2017

Billiards and Snooker Federation of India Secretary S Balasubramaniam, hopes the event will be a big hit.

"India has been waiting for a league like this. I am happy to see that it is taking off, that too with so many top players in the fray," said Balasubramaniam during the pre-event press conference.

Cue Masters League a great game changer