Inzy proposes ICL vs IPL

Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq and Sri Lankan skipper Marvan Atapattu do not like the idea of players being auctioned for the Indian Premier League (IPL). Speaking on the occasion of the unveiling of the 'diamond ball', which would be awarded to the ICL man-of-the-series, Inzamam said he would not have felt "happy" if he were put under the hammer.

"It doesn't look good to hear that cricketers are being auctioned or sold. This could have been done in a better way," said Inzamam. "At least I wouldn't want people bidding for me," he added. Asked if he is was regretting his association with the 'rebel' Indian Cricket League, Inzamam, who is captaining the Lahore Badshah team in the ICL's Edelweiss 20 Challenge, said, "No. I am happy with ICL and I thank God that I am not up for grabs (like the IPL)."

Sri Lankan Marvan Atapattu, who was also present on the occasion, too felt the IPL auction could have been done in a dignified way even though he pointed out that this was not the first time the players were up for grabs. "This may not seem nice but this has happened in the past too. We have already seen it in football, isn't it?" he asked.

But former Australian player Stuart Law found the IPL auction 'innovative'. Law, however, said he did not regret aligning with the ICL. On what should be done to break the ice between the ICL and the IPL, Inzamam proposed to have an encounter between the winners of the ICL and IPL.

"I think it would be a good idea to have a best-of-three finals between winners of the two leagues. I don't see ICL and IPL as enemies. After all, both are meant to promote cricket," said Inzamam.

Email this article to your friend -