US to have its own T20 league

With the successful completion of the second Indian Premier League in South Africa, the stage is now set for the American Premier League (APL), and the organisers claim the APL would revolutionise cricket in the country of baseball.

Six teams — Premium Americans, Premium Bangladeshis, Premium World, Premium Indians, Premium Pakistan and Premium Windies — would vie for the first APL trophy, the inaugural match of which is scheduled for October 6 at the Home of the Staten Island Yankees. The finals are scheduled for October 23 and 24.

“Everything is going on schedule. The APL promises to change the face of cricket in the US,” said Jay Mir, president of the American Sports and Entertainment Group who are the organisers of the APL.

 

The first edition of the Twenty20 tournament has attracted quite significant sponsorship bids, which Mir explained are being finalised and would be announced soon.

Given the large population from the South Asian countries — India, Pakistan and Bangladesh — and the Caribbeans residing in the US, organisers are expecting a huge turnout during the cricketing extravaganza to be held in New York and New Jersey.

A large number of international cricketers have already signed up for the tournament, but the names of the Indian players have been kept under wraps.

“This would be announced soon,” Mir said when asked about the names of Indian players.

He also added that the entire 15-member Premium Indians squad was ready but would be announced at an appropriate time before the tournament.

The International Cricket Council, however, has not recognised the APL and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is discouraging its county players from signing up for the league.

But Mir claimed that the tournament would bring the best of cricket and entertainment together for the people of America.