New Delhi
In view of the popularity of the Indian Premier League i.e. IPL, the T20 league has started worldwide. However, the Ohda which is from the IPL at this time has no break. In such a situation, the foundation of the Saudi T20 league is being laid with a new thinking. Saudi Arabia itself has decided to invest US $ 500 million for this T20 league. The way Grand Slam is played in tennis. There is a plan to create a similar league. The final will be played in Saudi Arabia. There is a plan to hold matches at four different places. However, it can put the England and Wales Cricket Board i.e. ECB obstacle.
Saudi Arabia’s SRJ Sports Investments decided to invest in this league. It is a subsidiary of the country’s 1 trillion dollars Sovereign Wealth Fund (Public Investment Fund). The concept is the brainchild of Neil Maxwell, a former first class cricketer who has represented New South Wales and Victoria and the current manager of Australian captain Pat Cummins. Maxwell has also held major positions in the Board of Australian Cricketers Association and Cricket New South Wales. The main objective of this league is that the earnings from this will support those countries which are behind in Test cricket.
The biggest problem in this league will be the availability of players, as the players are already part of the busy schedule. Removing schedule and slot for this tournament will be challenging for all. The BCCI does not allow its players to play in any survival league. Apart from this, England Cricket Board i.e. ECB has withdrawn its support from this league. Richard Gold, Chief Executive Officer of ECB to Sydney Morning Herald, has said that the English Cricket Board will not support the league. The reason for this is that there is no time for this.
He said, “The busy international calendar, hosting franchise leagues installed around the world and the current concerns about the workload of the players, there is no scope or demand for such an idea. This is not the case we will support.” According to the report, ECB is eager to save the Hundred League, which has recently sold franchise stake to private investors. The BCCI and CA will also be eager to keep their T20 leagues safe.
