Indian cricket league
| Sport | Cricket |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 |
| Ceased | 2009 |
| Divisions | 9 |
| No. of teams | 9 city teams, 4 international teams |
| Country |
 India Pakistan Bangladesh World XI |
| Last champion(s) |
Lahore Badshahs, 2008 |
The Indian Cricket League (ICL) was a private cricket league funded by Zee Entertainment Enterprises that operated between 2007 and 2009 in India. Its two seasons included tournaments between four international teams (World XI, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh) and nine domestic teams notionally located in major Indian cities as well as the champions Lahore Badshahs who were based in Lahore, Pakistan and Dhaka Warriors based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The matches were played in the Twenty20 format. There was also a planned domestic 50-over tournament, but this did not eventuate. While its establishment pre-dated the Indian Premier League, the ICL folded in 2009. Aside from commercial factors, the ICL lacked the support of the Board of Control for Cricket in India and International Cricket Council.
The second season, which added Ahmedabad as a venue, commenced in the last quarter of 2008, with the Lahore Badshahs from Pakistan winning. Many international cricketers played in it like Imran Nazir, Abdur Razzaq, Shane Bond, Inzamam ul haq and Moin Khan was coach of Lahore Badshahs.
Each team was coached by a former international cricketer and comprised four international, two Indian and eight budding domestic players. Essel Group also planned to set up cricket academies all over the country. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was assured that it was free to draw from ICL's talent pool. The league became active in November 2007 with matches in the Twenty20 format.
Former international cricketers including Anjingsora Risora, Tony Greig, Dean Jones and Kiran More were hired as board members of the Indian Cricket League. The board positions will be paid positions.
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Wikipedia