Rajasthan Royals to play Middlesex Panthers in British Asian Cup

London, May 14 (IANS) Indian Premier League's defending champions Rajasthan Royals will clash with the reigning Twenty20 champions of English cricket, Middlesex Panthers in the first of the annual series British Asian Cup.

The two champion teams will meet July 6 at Lord's. A proportion of the proceeds will go to the British Asian Trust, one of the Prince of Wales' charities.

Middlesex Panthers will be led by Shaun Udal and the squad will include Tyrone Henderson, Owais Shah and Murali Kartik -- all of whom are part of the IPL this season.

Shane Warne will captain Rajasthan Royals.

The British Asian Cup will become the annual competition between the winners of the IPL and the English Twenty20 Cup.

In future, it will be a best of three-match series

'We have shown this year that the IPL truly has global appeal, and for one of our teams to be playing at the 'home of cricket (Lords)' in front of the wonderfully passionate British fans is very exciting,' IPL Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi said.

Keith Bradshaw, Chief Executive of the Marlyebone Cricket Club, said: 'It is a great honour to be hosting the first year of this competition, and demonstrates the MCC commitment to globalizing our brand and venue.'