The ascendency of India as an economic world power

Just 11 days to go before the start of Indian Cricket Leaguer (ICL). You already know that ICL is more than a cricket tournament. In fact, it is a business venture by a private company in India.

Here is some updates from different websties:

Two Pakistani cricketers Imran Farhat and Taufiq Umar will set out for India on Wednesday to join their respective participating teams of Indian Cricket League (ICL). Imran Farhat will play for Chandigarh Lions and Taufiq Umar will appear for Delhi Jets.

ICL’s one of the biggest stars, Brian Lara has not reached India yet to join his team Mumbai Champs ahead of the inaugural Twenty20 championship of ICL set to begin from 30 November 2007.

It has been reported that New Zealand’s batsman Craig McMillan is now fit enough to get into the ICL Twenty20 championship. Recently, he has gone into retirement from international cricket showing his health problem and family responsibility.

ICL authority has sent a legal notice to Mohammad Yousuf for breaching the contact made with him. ICL authority says Mohammad Yousuf must face severe penalty for breaching the contact. On the other hand, Pakistan Cricket Board is determined to help Mohammad Yousuf out on this regard providing necessary assistance.

BCCI continues threatening the players involved in ICL and the authorities of the stadiums not to help ICL. It has also been reported that BCCI has cancelled an advertisement shooting of ICL in a stadium.

English batsman Darren Maddy thinks that his participation in Indian cricket league will not have any negative impact on his county career. Maddy will play for Kolkata Tigers in ICL Twenty20 championship. England’s star batsman, Kevin Pietersen has rejected a big offer from ICL recently.

Some of the cricket fans have recently got the chance to associate with some Pakistani cricketers including Abdur Razzak, Azhar Mehmood and Moin Khan who are now in India to participate in the ICL Twenty20 championship. 15th International Children’s Film Festival is also going on at this moment in India. So, The Hindu reported it as “Double delight for cricket fans.”

Kokata Tigers has already started their camp at the CC&FC ground on Friday ahead of the final competition. Former South African cricketer Daryll Cullinan will coach Kokata Tigers in the tournament. Nicky Boje, Nathan Astle, Chris Harris, Abdur Razzak, Azhar Mahmood, Hemang Badani and Russel Arnold have also joined the practice sessions of their respective teams of ICL.

Reports have it that besides money, cricket boards’ selection policy has also motivated the cricketers to join ICL. You already know that BCCI has also taken the initiative to organize Indian Premier League as a counter competition of IPL. Now, the question is that is private ownership good for cricket? Only time will give the best answer of it.