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The coexistence of international cricket and franchise-based T20 leagues is crucial for the future sustainability of the sport, according to Wasim Khan, the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) general manager of cricket.
With the emergence of various lucrative T20 leagues worldwide, including the recent additions in South Africa, the UAE, and the upcoming league in the USA, the international cricket calendar is facing increasing challenges in terms of player availability and maintaining its relevance.
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As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the World Test Championship (WTC) final, there is a sense of uncertainty surrounding the future of international cricket. The growing popularity and financial allure of franchise T20 leagues have intensified the competition for players’ participation, further complicating an already crowded cricketing calendar.
Prominent players like Jason Roy and Trent Boult have made decisions that highlight the allure of franchise leagues. Roy has chosen to forgo a part of his incremental contract with England to participate in the Major League T20 Cricket (MLC) in the United States.
Boult, on the other hand, relinquished his New Zealand central contract last year. Moreover, there have been discussions about Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises offering year-round contracts to players. These developments have raised questions about the significance and future viability of international bilateral cricket.
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T20 Leagues Around The World Provide More Choice For The Fans: Wasim Khan
Wasim Khan acknowledged the impact of domestic T20 leagues on the cricketing landscape. He emphasized that the presence of highly competitive leagues provides more options for players and fans alike, thereby enhancing the overall product of white-ball tournaments such as the ICC World Cups.
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“The fact that we’re seeing some highly competitive domestic T20 leagues around the world provides more choice for fans, more choice for players in terms of taking part, which is only going to improve the product particularly around our white-ball tournaments, the ICC World Cups. Obviously, the way the schedule is structured now and the emergence of these leagues, there has to be a way for us to co-exist. Nothing is going to be removed so we are going to have to co-exist moving forward.”
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Khan highlighted the need for international cricket and franchise leagues to coexist in a harmonious manner, given the current structure of the cricket calendar and the growing influence of these leagues. He emphasized that no fixtures would be removed from the calendar at this point, necessitating a strategic approach to ensure the harmonious coexistence of international and franchise cricket moving forward.
The challenges faced by international cricket in maintaining its position in the face of the burgeoning franchise T20 leagues call for careful consideration and planning.
The ICC and cricket boards worldwide will need to strike a balance that allows for the successful coexistence of international cricket and franchise leagues while ensuring that the international game remains meaningful and captivating. The evolving landscape of cricket requires strategic adaptations to safeguard the sport’s future and cater to the diverse interests of players and fans alike.
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