Lahore - An American entrepreneur who hopes to establish an international Twenty20 tournament in New York has signed up former Pakistan captain Inzamamul-Haq and six other Pakistan players for his project scheduled to be launched later this year.
Inzamam said he along with six other players who have been playing for ICL have signed up for proposed American league. ‘Myself, Rana Naved, Abdul Razzaq, Imran Nazir, Imran Farhat, Azhar Mahmood and Saqlain Mushtaq have agreed to play in this league when it is launched in New York.’
He didn't elaborate if he had got clearance from ICL organisers for American league as ICL claims it still has valid contracts with Pakistani cricketers even though its league has been delayed this year.
Inzamam said he had got offer from President & CEO of American Sports And Entertainment Group Inc, Jay Mir, who drew up plans for a six-team American Premier League to be staged in October on a converted baseball field in Staten Island, New York.
He said players were keen to play in American league as it was a new concept, new venue and it would be exciting to play in America.
Sources said Inzamam and other players had got ICL approval before signing up. Mir looks forward to sign other players including pace bowler, Mohammad Asif who will complete one-year ban for a failed dope test in September.
Inzamam said American league was not an official tournament because it is not ICC-recommended. ‘But organisers say they are hoping to get clearance from ICC for the event,’ he added.
Mir lined up three-year staging deal with minor-league baseball team, Staten Island Yankees. Using a franchise and auction system similar to IPL, he hopes to draw up six international sides - Premium Pakistan, Premium Indians, Premium West Indies, Premium World & Premium America - final side drawn from best of talent on show from about 15 million cricket fans living in United States.
A spokesman for Yankees confirmed they were in talks, adding they were ‘very excited’ at prospect of bringing cricket to the city. PPI
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