Private leagues must earn ICC recognition first, says Wasim

Former Pakistan great Wasim Akram on Tuesday stressed private cricket leagues must get recognition from the game’s governing body before being launched to avoid clashes with international sides.

“All the private leagues must get recognition from the International Cricket Council (ICC) or from respective boards before they start, otherwise more and more private leagues could affect international cricket,” Wasim told AFP. “These private leagues can offer more money than players get at the international level and that would harm the game at international level, so there must be steps to stop that.”

Wasim was reacting to complaints by some Pakistani players banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board for joining the unrecognised Indian Cricket League (ICL).

The ICL’s second season ended on Sunday when it was won by the Lahore Badshahs a team comprised of Pakistani players.

Wasim said some Pakistani players had asked him to help them get re-instated to play for the national side.

“Some of the players did meet me and asked for help but I cannot do anything until and unless the ICL gets recognition,” said Wasim, one of the greatest left-arm fast bowlers ever to play the game. The Indian league, bankrolled by India’s largest media group Zee television, is striving for ICC recognition, but Wasim denied reports he said that would soon be achieved.

“My comments on the ICL were taken out of context and I apologise if those comments caused any harm or distress to anyone. I never back any unrecognised league,” said Wasim.

Wasim added that respective national cricket boards have a part to play in the private leagues matter.

“Look, the Indian Premier League is sanctioned both by the Indian Board and by the ICC so players featuring in that have no problems,” he said.

KARACHI, Wednesday (AFP)