MELBOURNE, March 18 (Alliance News): The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has rejected the proposed Saudi-backed global T20 league, citing concerns over a packed international calendar and player workload.
ECB chief executive Richard Gould stated that there was no room for such a competition amid existing franchise leagues worldwide.
The proposal, reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, suggests an eight-team tournament backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, with matches across four locations.
“With the busy international calendar, established franchise leagues, and concerns about player workload, there is no scope or demand for such an idea,” Gould told the newspaper, adding that the ECB would not support the league.
The ECB remains committed to The Hundred, its 100-ball format league, which secured $1.27 billion in private investment last month.
Meanwhile, leading T20 leagues such as the Indian Premier League (IPL), Pakistan Super League (PSL), and Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) continue to dominate the franchise cricket landscape.
However, the Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) has backed the proposed Saudi league, emphasizing the potential benefits for players, including collective bargaining and gender-equity pay models.
