There have been numerous reports suggesting that the Champions League T20 is likely to make its comeback with a new name. It was reported that the new name of the tournament is likely to be the World Club Championship.
The tournament is likely to follow the same structure as that of the Champions League T20. The winners of all the major T20 leagues in the world are going to get a slot in the tournament. Richard Gould, the CEO of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), gave confirmation of the same.
While speaking with ESPNCricinfo, Gould said, “That is on the cards. Without doubt, at some point, there will be a World Club Championship for both men and women. That’s the next logical step.”
Recent Developments in the World Club Championship
According to a report in PTI, the league has been backed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). However, Royal Challengers Bengaluru won’t participate in the first edition of the tournament next year. Apart from RCB, there won’t be any representation by a team from the Pakistan Super League.
The decision for PSL not to get a spot in the league came after a no-show by any Pakistan representation during a meeting held in London recently. Lahore Qalandars are the current winners of the PSL.
The World Club Championship has the backing of the ICC as well, and hence, CEOs of the leading T20 leagues had a meeting in London recently under the ICC’s watch. “The Pakistan Cricket Board was invited to send its CEO of the PSL for a meeting held on the sidelines of the cricket connect meeting in London last month, but no one showed up,” a source was quoted as saying.
“Discussions were held on the proposed World Clubs Championship, its window, format, schedule, etc. (The) CEOs of the Emirates League, Big Bash League, The Hundred, SA20, MLC, Caribbean Premier League etc, attended the meeting. Pakistan was also invited,” he confirmed.
World Club Championship To Derail Saudi Cricket League
The report further mentioned that the World Club Championship is being fast-tracked to derail the upcoming Saudi Cricket League. The T20 league is a USD 400 million project backed by Saudi investors. The league has already received opposition from the BCCI and the ECB in the past. The boards agreed not to give a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to their players.
The league is facing resistance as the investors are looking to organise the league on the lines of the Tennis Grand Slams events every year. A total of four major tennis championships are held in a single year and are called a Grand Slam.
What Was The Champions League T20?
The Champions League T20 was an annual T20 competition launched in 2008. However, the first edition of the tournament took place in 2009. The tournament was founded by the BCCI, Cricket Australia, and Cricket South Africa and was started with the ambition of replicating the UEFA Champions League.
The tournament saw participation from the top teams from various T20 leagues that were being played at that time. A total of three teams from the Indian Premier League, while two teams each from the Big Bash League and Ram Slam T20 Challenge.
What Is The Need For A World Club Championship At This Time?
Every major cricket-playing nation in the world is currently running a T20 franchise league. Countries like the UAE and the USA which have not found much success atthe international level, have founded their own T20 leagues. A tournament where each franchise from these tournaments can come together and play will only help the game grow further. It will also likely give the players from associate nations a space to showcase their skills and learn from the biggest names in world cricket.
Guyana recently launched the Global Super League and started on July 10. Dubai Capitals from the UAE, Central Districts from New Zealand, Rangpur Riders from Bangladesh, Hobart Hurricanes from Australia, and the Guyana Amazon Warriors from the West Indies are going to participate in the league. A total of 11 matches are going to be played in the league. If and whenever the World Club Championship starts, it will look like the Global Super League only.
Leave a Comment