The unrecognised Indian Cricket League took a swipe at the sport's governing body on Wednesday after signing 11 Bangladesh internationals for their second season. The ICL, bankrolled by India's largest listed media company Zee Telefilms, said it was frustrated at the International Cricket Council's delay in granting it official recognition.
"We had applied for recognition in April, but till now nothing concrete has come out," ICL's business head Himanshu Mody said ahead of their new season starting on October 10. "They are acting in a tardy manner. If we don't hear anything from them in 14 days we will pursue the matter again."
Media reports said legal action was one of the options the ICL was considering in a bid to hasten a decision. The powerful ICC-recognised Indian cricket board, which launched its own Indian Premier League Twenty20 competition earlier this year, has banned ICL players from all official matches.
The Indian board also convinced its counterparts from around the world to shun ICL players amid the ICC's stated position that only tournaments okayed by the respective boards would be recognised. The ICL's first season comprised Twenty20 and 50-overs-a-side matches between eight teams that included a mix of international players and domestic Indian cricketers.
Among the top stars aligned with the ICL are retired former Test captains Brian Lara of the West Indies and Inzamam-ul Haq of Pakistan, besides fiery New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond and veteran Chris Cairns. A team from Bangladesh, called the Dhaka Warriors, will be inducted as the ninth team this year and includes 11 internationals led by former Test captain Habibul Bashar.
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