<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">ICL is moving steadily to build up its team for the twenty20 tournament scheduled at the end of the year. They are roping in present players despite the threat from BCCI and also PCB for banning them for life. In a recent move seven players from Hyderabad Ranji Team have joined the ICL including their captain. It has been a biggest blow for Hyderabad Cricket Association. It is said that ICL chairman Kapil Dev with the help of former Indian Captain Azharuddin has been successful in this move. The Hyderabad based Azharuddin was banned for life for match fixing affair, enjoys the respect of many Hyderabad Cricketers.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></font></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">It seems PCB is also surrounded with new crisis. Players like Mohammed Yousuf, Abdul Razzaq, Imran Farhat, Asim Kamal and Inzaman-ul Haq is all set to join ICL. Imran Farhat has already returned his central contract, confirming that he was considering an offer from the ICL. He even went on to say if I am not going to play for Pakistan then what is the use of this central contract that favours the board and not the players.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></font></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">According to Kapil Dev the process of building up the teams are in full swing and within a few days a clear picture will emerge. He has also admitted that the signing of seven top current Ranji Players from Hyderabad is the biggest catch for ICL so far. Kapil Dev also said if possible ICL would go for the 50-over a side matches as well as 3 day matches. But right now it is just the start, taking first step forward.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></font></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">In a recent move the Indian Railway Minister and also Bihar Cricket Association President Lalu Prasad Yadav has come down heavily on BCCI’s statement warning players against aligning with the league. According to him ICL is taking good initiatives that will lead to competition and encourage good players. The league is a good thing for those players who complain they are not selected or ignored. He is also ready to allow its tournaments to be played in railway stadiums for a reasonable fee, which has already been denied by BCCI and is also an issue for ICL for finding stadiums to conduct the league. It now remains to be seen what stand the BCCI is going to take on the Railways, which is a dominant force in Ranji Trophy at the Board’s SGM on August 21, 2007.</font></p>
previous article: Heard by a Bird
next article: Ozone Hole doesn’t effect Global Warming
Leave Your Comments