“The International Cricket Council (ICC) regarded the no-defunct Indian Cricket League as unofficial because it was funded by private entrepreneurs outside the auspices of member boards,” the official told The Express Tribune from the UAE. “So if the Pakistan board organises an international league with the support of Bukhatir, then this would be another unsuccessful move by the Ijaz Butt-led board.
“Since Bukhatir is the owner of the Sharjah stadium, which has been deemed a hub for match-fixing, there’s no question of organising the league from his money. I think this conflict could spark another dispute between the PCB and the ICC because the latter has a rigid stance on unofficial leagues and match-fixing.”
The UAE-league is not the first time the PCB has been working to launch its own cricket league. Former PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf was the first to announce the Pakistan Premier League during his tenure but with the change at the helm, the idea was never implemented. Later, it was put forward again and was endorsed by the PCB when UAE’s leading entrepreneurs offered Pakistan to establish a Twenty20 cricket league.
“There is also news floating that the PCB has also signed an agreement with the Bukhatir Group of Companies to revive cricket in the UAE to get some activity in the Sharjah stadium.”
PCB Chief Operating Officer Wasim Bari refused to comment whether the board was collaborating with Bukhatir for the league.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 23rd, 2010.
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