ICL Information

When a new team like Lahore Badshahs entered the Indian Cricket League, not many would have predicted that after the first week, our team will emerge as the team to beat in the tournament. But I knew what these boys were capable of and I am delighted that they have delivered on the field.

The first match was very crucial for us in many ways. It was our ICL debut and that too against the defending champions. And it was good that the game went down to the wire and we eventually triumphed. For the millions of ICL followers worldwide, it was a big upset. For us, it was exactly what we needed at the start of the tournament – a victory from a very close game.

Such a close game brings out the best in terms of camaraderie. And this is what exactly happened as in the next game, we overwhelmed the Hyderabad Heroes. And I hope we can keep it going against the Chandigarh Lions on Sunday. Having won both the matches that we have played so far, we are placed at the top of the table. And if we can clinch Sunday’s tie, we will have one foot in the semi-finals. And after having beaten the defending champions, I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t be able to win against the last tournament’s runner-up. We are being inspired by the Ahmedabad Rockets – the other new team in the ICL besides us – who beat the Lions in their first match.

The other day, someone asked me whether I have a magic stick since the team has done so well. After having such a bunch of talented, experienced and youthful players, I don’t think I will ever need a magic stick. It’s all about making them realise the importance of the match and assigning each one of them a particular role for a particular match.

Just because we have won our first two games, there is no reason for us to get complacent. After all, we are playing Twenty20. The match can change its course within two-three overs. So we need to back each other up and take one game at a time.

To conclude, I would say that the fact that most of us knowing each other even before the formation of the team has worked really well for us. Since most of the boys have played with me and with each other at the highest level, they know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. I hope they take full advantage of this throughout the tournament.

Source: http://www.indiancricketleague.in

The rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) is planning to add an all-star Pakistani side to its list of competitors for the second edition scheduled in March-April.

After hosting its inaugural twenty20 tournament last year, the breakaway league is considering adding two more teams with one of them being an all stars side from Pakistan.

“There has been discussion on having either a Karachi or Lahore team from Pakistan take part in the next event along with an all stars ICL eleven,” Former Pakistan skipper Moin Khan, who is ICL’s main representative in Pakistan and also on their coaching panel, said.

The former wicketkeeper said a clearer picture would emerge in next two weeks and did not rule out the possibility of an ICL official coming to Pakistan to sign up more players.

Pakistan had six representatives in the ICL’s inaugural edition with pacer Shabbir Ahmed getting man of the match award in the final.

Moin Khan said he was disappointed by the vindictive measures taken by Pakistan and other cricket boards against players and coaches contracted to the ICL, which is not recognised by either the ICC or its member boards.

He said the decision to ban ICL players in Pakistan from playing domestic cricket was unjustified.

But asked whether the ICL would help its players and coaches, Moin said the the league was already backing its recruits financially.

“That is the best it can do. It has given financial benefits to its players and coaches which is their best compensation for what they are facing. The kind of money we are earning now from ICL is very good,” he said.

Source:http://cricket.expressindia.com

Former Pakistan captain Moin Khan has called upon the Pakistan Cricket Board to make peace with the rebel cricketers who went to play for the breakaway Indian Cricket League.

The former wicketkeeper said that he considered the recent decision of the board to stop the ICL-aligned players from playing for their domestic teams as ‘unjust’ and ‘unfair’.
What is so big about this ICL. Dont players take part in many such privately organised Twenty20 competitions which are not sanctioned by the board,” he said.

“More importantly the ICL has never stopped anyone from playing for his country. So what is the big fuss?” Moin — who helped ICL in signing Inzamam-ul-Haq, Abdul Razzaq, Azhar Mehmood, Imran Farhat, Shabbir Ahmed, Taufiq Umar and Mohammad Yousuf — was also the coach of the Hyderabad team in the Twenty20 championship.

“I say as long as the ICL does not clash or disturb international commitments of players, there is nothing wrong with it,” he said.

He appealed to the PCB to allow the Pakistani players to play in domestic cricket and not to victimise them for any reason.

“I dont think our board should follow the policies of the Indian board. The Indian cricket officials might have a problem with the ICL but that is their internal problem. Why should our board be harsh on our players who are committing no crime,” Moin said.

Source:http://www.expressindia.com