In this article, we will try to take a look at the various Twenty20 international leagues that are being played/launched around the world:
Pakistan Super League:
The PSL is easily the most ambitious project ever undertaken by the Pakistan Cricket Board and is seen as the ideal tonic for salvaging the declining standards of Pakistan cricket. Both critics and former players feel that PSL is a huge step towards reviving international cricket in the country after the ghastly 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore had effectively put an end to all foreign teams’ visits to Pakistan.The PSL, which comprises of six franchises namely Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, Lahore Qalandars, Karachi Kings, Multan Sultans and Islamabad United, will provide a golden opportunity for the local players to polish their skills and lift their game by playing alongside brilliant international players.
Indian Premier League:
The original and most lucrative of all Twenty20 leagues being played around the world, the IPL was established by the Indian cricket board (BCCI) in 2007. The IPL was originally launched with eight teams while three other outfits joined in later. However, owing to the many controversies the league has attracted over the years, including fixing rows and player auction ruckus, it has now been reduced to eight teams namely Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Rising Pune Supergiants, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Team Rajkot. Players from all cricket playing nations, except Pakistan, compete in IPL. The Pakistan players had participated in the inaugural season but were subsequently disallowed due to strained relations between the two neighboring countries.
Big Bash League:
The BBL is an Australian domestic T20 league which was established in 2011 by Cricket Australia. It features eight city-based franchises instead of the six state teams which used to participate in the season previously. BBL matches are played in Australia with a number of international players competing in the months of December and January. The outfits taking part are Perth Scorchers, Sydney Sixers, Brisbane Heat, Adelaide Strikers, Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Stars, Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Thunder.
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Bangladesh Premier League:
The BPL is a professional T20 cricket league held annually in Bangladesh. It was founded in 2012 by Bangladesh Cricket Board but was suspended after its second edition in 2013 after some of the local players including former Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful were found involved in match fixing.The BPL, played during November and December, has been revived in 2016 with six franchises namely Dhaka Dynamites, Rangpur Riders, Comilla Victorians, Chittagong Vikings, Barisal Bulls and Sylhet Super Stars which also feature a number of international players.
Sri Lankan Premier League:
SPL is a professional T20 league launched by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in 2011 but could not take off that year due to financial problems. Its first season was finally played in 2012 with eight teams but has since been cancelled due to organizational hazards and lack of sponsorship.
Caribbean Premier League:
CPL T20 is an annual cricket league in the Caribbean, launched in 2013. Since then, it is played in July-August each year with six franchises namely Jamaica Tallawahs, Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel, Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Lucia Zouks and St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots.
Masters Champions League:
MCL is the latest T20 league to enter the fray. Put together by East Africa-based businessman Zafar Shah, the league has already drawn a huge response from fans all over since it stars several legendary players including Sachin Tendulkar, Shane Warne, Wasim Akram, Graeme Smith and Adam Gilchrist to name a few. MCL comprises six teams namely Libra Legends, Gemini Arabians, Virgo Super Kings, Capricorn Commanders, Leo Lions and Sagittarius Strikers.
[box type=”note” align=”” class=”” width=””]The writer is a Karachi based freelance columnist and is a banker by profession. He could be reached on Twitter @ReluctantAhsan[/box]