Showing posts with label ICL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ICL. Show all posts

Friday, September 19, 2008

SL Lifts Ban on ICL Players!

The Sri Lankan Cricket announced today that they are revoking the ban on players who joined ICL. This is a very good move and is appreciated by ICL.

"Players will be allowed to play for their respective clubs and share their expertise, but cannot represent the country," Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) media manager Shane Fernando said. (source: cricketnext.com)

The Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) banned five of its players for playing in ICL--Marvan Atapattu, Russel Arnold, Upul Chandana, Avishka Gunawardena, and Saman Jayantha.

The SLC said that they can play in domestic matches but not for the nation. Looks like it is a good start and good step forward in favor of ICL.

Relief for these five players, other players representing other countries, and ICL.

Why Not ICL?

What is happening in Cricket? What is the Cricket governing body of international cricket--ICC is doing? They want to promote cricket, but at the same time, do not allow people who help the cause?

The ICL (Indian Cricket League) started by the Zee Television Group was the eye opener for BCCI. It is almost like privatization of government handled units or activities. BCCI does not want anybody to conduct any kinds of matches.

Why? I have analyzed the situation like anyone else and found few reasons which may be valid from BCCIs pespective, though they are not correct:

Loss of Revenue:

Every citizen of India and people around the world who follow cricket knows the reason. If they accept ICL, the money would be shared between BCCI and ICL, which means loss of revenue for BCCI.

Sharing of Power:

The money power that BCCI has today may go away or at least get reduced if there is a competitor.

Confusion for Players:

If both BCCI and ICL conduct events, then players will be in dilemma which one to pick. Though priority can be worked out between BCCI and ICL, the former would try to dominate always.

Ego:

They have not accepted ICL at the first instance and started banning players. Now, if they go back, it would hurt their ego. More than the game, the individual ego is playing a key role.

Can a person in the stature of Kapil Dev would do anything bad to Indian Cricket? The chances he had while playing was more than the chances he has now to spoil Indian cricket. He could have lost a game, he could have taken bad decisions when he was a member of BCCI or coach of Indian Team. If he didn't do it when he had the power or opportunity to do, do you think he is doing it now? Crazy.

I would strongly suggest and recommend ICC that accept ICL as a recognized body and allow them to conduct cricket events. BCCI alone cannot play opportunities to 1.2 billion people or at least 25% of them, who really play cricket.

We still need one more body like ICL and all of them should work together to find the right talent for the game and for the country.

When BCCI is accepting and allowing Indian players to play in English County, why not in another event within our own country?

Guys, competition brings out the best! You are trying to kill or make your partner dark and then play. This is not fair game and not good for Cricket and Country! I don't have anything against BCCI or anything in favor ICL, I am just thinking about CRICKET and COUNTRY and so many young people dreaming that they will get an opportunity!

Basher Shocked Over Ban!


Former Bangladesh Cricket Team captain Habibul Basher who joined the rebel ICL this week was banned by BCB for 10 years. Hearing this news, Basher expressed shock and said that this punishment is too harsh.

"It is really unexpected. The ten-year suspension is too harsh. I can't believe it," he told the Dhaka-based Daily Star. "Hopefully we [the 'rebels'] will meet tomorrow to decide our next course of action. We may try to meet with the board officials to explain everything."

"I think the people in this country will not misunderstand us because we didn't commit any crime, rather we just want to play cricket. It would be an unbearable pain for me to be cast as a banned cricketer after playing for my country for so many years. I don't understand why people call us rebel cricketers. There were reasons for me to take such a decision. I didn't consider only money because I know how big it is to represent the national team."

It is very unfortunate that BCCI is allowing the Indian players to play in English County Cricket, but not another league in the same country. Do they want to monopoly the cricket? Do they have to till have the top hand in the International Cricket (and threaten ICC sometimes?). People who are behind this only will know the answer apart from God!

Photo Credit: cricinfo.com

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

BCB Bans ICL Joined Players for 10 Years!

The BCB has banned all the 13 players who have sent retirement letters to Bangladesh Cricket Board and joined the ICL (Indian Cricket League) for 10 years. The reason is that ICL is not a ICC recognized body and hence those participating in their events would be treated as playing against ICC.

Though there were letters sent to ICC by ICL several times, the ICC is yet to recognize them. Maybe, it is because that BCCI is putting pressure as they did in other scenarios.

"The board decided to impose a ban of ten years on players, officials, and technical staff of the BCB, who participate in cricket events which are not authorized by the ICC and BCB," the board said in a media release. "The player, official, technical staff concerned will be banned from all events and competitions organised by the BCB and will not be allowed to use BCB facilities.

"The board is also looking into legal technicalities for taking appropriate proceedings against the players who have reportedly joined the Indian Cricket League. It has also decided to review the existing format of the contracts with players to discourage such abrupt action by cricketers in the future."

The players involved are:

Habibul Bashar, former Bangladesh Captain
Aftab Ahmed
Alok Kapali
Shahirar Nafees
Farhar Reza
Dhiman Ghosh
Mosharraf Hossain
Mohammed Raffique
Tapash Baisya
Manjurlal Islam
Mohammad Sharif

The reserver wicket keeper Golam Mabud and Mahbudul Karim is currently touring Sri Lanak is also part of this group.

These players have their own concern about playing for Bangladesh. They say that the BCB is not worrying about the players and hence this decision.

Top Bangladesh Players go to ICL!!

Top Bangladesh cricketers have decided to quit playing for the nation and decided to join the rebel league ICL. They have sent their retirement letters to the Bangladesh Cricket Board, which is yet to receive and accept it.

Six players who have decided to join the ICL said that they are not happy with the current systems.

Habibul Bashar, the former Bangladesh captain, said he felt let down by the team management, coach Jamie Siddons in particular. The situation was getting difficult for me," Bashar, who was dropped from the side for the Asia Cup, told the Dhaka-based Daily Star.

"I was not receiving support from anyone. Even the coach's attitude was discouraging and I was in the middle of a lot of uncertainty. I was out of cricket for seven months."

Left arm spinner Mosharraf Hossain said, "they don't think of us, so why should we think of them."

BCB has to immediately look into the situation and do something about it. Else, it would be too late and they will be in deep crisis.