Abu Dhabi Government’s relationship with the T10 League has entered in a new phase after TTEN founder and owner Shaji Ul Mulk sold majority ownership stakes in the tournament to the Abu Dhabi Sports Council. The move gives Abu Dhabi greater control over the commercial future, governance and global expansion of cricket’s fastest professional format, deepening a partnership that has steadily evolved over the past several years.
Founded by Shaji Ul Mulk in Sharjah in 2017, the T10 League began as an ambitious attempt to introduce a shorter, television-friendly version of cricket aimed at modern audiences. The inaugural season was staged entirely in Sharjah before the tournament expanded into Dubai and Sharjah in 2018 as its popularity and commercial appeal grew.
A significant turning point came in 2019 when Abu Dhabi secured exclusive hosting rights through a long-term agreement signed between the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi. The five-year partnership saw the tournament officially rebranded as the Abu Dhabi T10, firmly aligning the league’s identity with the emirate’s wider sporting ambitions.
Since then, the competition has been staged at exclusively at Zayed Cricket Stadium, which has become the permanent home of the tournament. Over the years, the venue has hosted international stars, helping Abu Dhabi strengthen its position as a major destination for global cricket events.
The latest ownership development represents the clearest sign yet of Abu Dhabi’s long-term commitment to the format. By acquiring majority stakes in the league, Abu Dhabi Government is expected to play a more direct role in shaping the tournament’s future strategy, commercial structure and international footprint.
The move also reflects the emirate’s broader investment in sport as a tool for tourism, entertainment and global positioning. With government-backed ownership now involved, the Abu Dhabi T10 appears set to enter a new era of expansion and institutional stability as it continues to push for a larger place in the international cricket calendar.
Franchise ownership in the Abu Dhabi T10 has changed regularly over the years, even as the league continued to expand with more teams being added. While the tournament grew in size and visibility, team ownerships often remained inconsistent, with several franchises changing hands or operating for short periods.
Under Shaji Ul Mulk, the T10 model was also expanded outside the UAE. In 2023 and 2024, Zimbabwe hosted two editions of the Zim Afro T10, marking the format’s first major move into African cricket markets. The league later expanded into Sri Lanka with the launch of the Lanka T10 Super League in 2024.
However, both tournaments have faced uncertainty since their most recent editions in 2024, with little clarity over their future schedules or long-term continuity.
Founded by Shaji Ul Mulk in Sharjah in 2017, the T10 League began as an ambitious attempt to introduce a shorter, television-friendly version of cricket aimed at modern audiences. The inaugural season was staged entirely in Sharjah before the tournament expanded into Dubai and Sharjah in 2018 as its popularity and commercial appeal grew.
A significant turning point came in 2019 when Abu Dhabi secured exclusive hosting rights through a long-term agreement signed between the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi. The five-year partnership saw the tournament officially rebranded as the Abu Dhabi T10, firmly aligning the league’s identity with the emirate’s wider sporting ambitions.
Since then, the competition has been staged at exclusively at Zayed Cricket Stadium, which has become the permanent home of the tournament. Over the years, the venue has hosted international stars, helping Abu Dhabi strengthen its position as a major destination for global cricket events.
The latest ownership development represents the clearest sign yet of Abu Dhabi’s long-term commitment to the format. By acquiring majority stakes in the league, Abu Dhabi Government is expected to play a more direct role in shaping the tournament’s future strategy, commercial structure and international footprint.
The move also reflects the emirate’s broader investment in sport as a tool for tourism, entertainment and global positioning. With government-backed ownership now involved, the Abu Dhabi T10 appears set to enter a new era of expansion and institutional stability as it continues to push for a larger place in the international cricket calendar.
Franchise ownership in the Abu Dhabi T10 has changed regularly over the years, even as the league continued to expand with more teams being added. While the tournament grew in size and visibility, team ownerships often remained inconsistent, with several franchises changing hands or operating for short periods.
Under Shaji Ul Mulk, the T10 model was also expanded outside the UAE. In 2023 and 2024, Zimbabwe hosted two editions of the Zim Afro T10, marking the format’s first major move into African cricket markets. The league later expanded into Sri Lanka with the launch of the Lanka T10 Super League in 2024.
However, both tournaments have faced uncertainty since their most recent editions in 2024, with little clarity over their future schedules or long-term continuity.
