'Is ICC sleeping?' - Inzamam-ul-Haq irked with NZ players pulling out of Pakistan series for IPL

[MenInG]

Ahead of the all-important T20 World Cup 2021, the New Zealand cricket team will square off against Bangladesh and Pakistan in a white-ball series between September 1 and October 3. While Pakistan will have their first-choice players for the series, NZ will be missing out on the services of 7 players who are in the WC squad.

The New Zealand Cricket has released its players for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 and 7 players, including skipper Kane Williamson, will be in UAE to take part in the T20 league.

Upset with NZ players pulling out of the Pakistan series to play IPL, former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has lashed out at ICC and questioned its silence on the matter. As per Inzamam, the players are giving more importance to private leagues instead of international cricket.

“Wherever the Pakistan team is going, they are not getting a chance to play against the main players. When we went to South Africa in April, they sent their players for the IPL. With the upcoming NZ series in Pakistan, eight NZ players have opted out of the tour to play IPL. Even in the recent England tour, the whole England team got changed due to COVID-19 in the camp,” Inzamam said on his Youtube channel.

“I feel that the Pakistan team is not getting proper practice because they are not getting to play against the main players. What is the ICC doing? What message are they trying to give? Players are giving importance to private leagues and not international cricket. It’s like degrading international cricket. If you see the whole sequence, it’s happening only against Pakistan,” he added.

Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, Lockie Ferguson, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner and Tim Seifert are other players who have been released by NZC. Tom Latham will be leading NZ in both series. Interestingly, he isn't part of the T20 World Cup squad.

The 2nd phase of IPL 2021 will be played from September 19 to October 15 in UAE. The T20 World Cup 2021 kicks off on October 17. Following the ICC event, the NZ players will travel to India for T20I and Test series against the hosts.

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports...pulling-out-of-pakistan-series-for-ipl/797508

 

[Real_Steel]

Agree with Inzy here. Its a pity league cricket is given priority over International matches. He should though knock the right doors i.e. PCB and not ICC. This tour is created by PCB after IPL was given an official window by ICC . Pak players themselves would participate in IPL if they could (even if an NZ called them for a tour in the reverse situation)

 

[Sunny_majoka]

Agree with Inzy here. Its a pity league cricket is given priority over International matches. He should though knock the right doors i.e. PCB and not ICC. This tour is created by PCB after IPL was given an official window by ICC . Pak players themselves would participate in IPL if they could (even if an NZ called them for a tour in the reverse situation)

Tour was already planned in FTP..and this is not ipl window.

 

[Shafi]

If this trend continues in future IPL teams may replace team like Zimbabwe, Scotland, Netherlands, UAE, Nepal....And teams like Pakistan, Bangladesh, WI, S Africa and SL will suffer a lot and it will be the end of professional and International cricket.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

I dont see why people keep criticizing IPL.

If anything, most human beings will choose financial security over patriotism.

If NZ vs Pakistan had a bigger paycheck then IPL for NZ players, they would have decided to forego IPL.

Even Pakistani players themselves would have sent a B team if they were taking part in IPL.

Thats one aspect.

 

[Rana]

I dont see why people keep criticizing IPL.

If anything, most human beings will choose financial security over patriotism.

If NZ vs Pakistan had a bigger paycheck then IPL for NZ players, they would have decided to forego IPL.

Even Pakistani players themselves would have sent a B team if they were taking part in IPL.

Thats one aspect.

Pakistan should send their B teams now and let the star players play local T20 leagues whilst continuing to remunerate those players with their match fees.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Secondly, IPL is ensuring that future for cricketers is secure so that most cricketers will aspire for IPL and similar other leagues if they also offer hefty paychecks.

This is similar to league football, where players want to be in Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid when they grow up as footballers.

Their country matters too. But only in World Cups and qualifiers and Euros. Because what those clubs give, the country simply cannot in finance.

Cricket will revolve around LEAGUES and international cricket would be World Cup every 4 years.

We can have a T20 cup every 4 years like the Euros.

The only cricket that would suffer would be Test Cricket but I actually already fear for Tests.

No one has the time to sit for 5 days at grounds for an outcome of a match that might end as a draw with rain or draw.

The world is fast paced.

Much as I like tests, they simply have no niche anymore.

No game goes 40 hours without a result.

Not even golf.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Pakistan should send their B teams now and let the star players play local T20 leagues whilst continuing to remunerate those players with their match fees.

If Pakistan can actually send a B team and win in those tours while their star players can earn in those local T20 leagues, dont think it would become an issue.

Two problems with your idea.

1. Our B team would not be able to put the same fight as NZ B team reciprocally.

2. Our star players will not get enough money through local leagues as their star playes through IPL.

So, the frustration would continue for Pakistan.

The only viable option for Pakistan is to try to bridge the gap with BCCI and mend relations with India to let Pakistan players be part of IPL.

 

[Rana]

If Pakistan can actually send a B team and win in those tours while their star players can earn in those local T20 leagues, dont think it would become an issue.

Two problems with your idea.

1. Our B team would not be able to put the same fight as NZ B team reciprocally.

2. Our star players will not get enough money through local leagues as their star playes through IPL.

So, the frustration would continue for Pakistan.

The only viable option for Pakistan is to try to bridge the gap with BCCI and mend relations with India to let Pakistan players be part of IPL.

The first thing is, our A team with all of our main players will lose to Big 3+ NZ b teams away from home. So we might as well send our B team to get thrashed instead. This will however create problems for teams like NZ who depend a lot on revenue that is generated via broadcast.

The broadcasters depend a lot on something to market from the opposition, that’s why players like Babar, Shaheen, Hassan, Shadab and now Rizwan are quite important for the host nation. They are marketable and they create anticipation. The broadcasters also know that they will not have India/England/Australia tour every year, and if they do it will become boring. Questions will be raised at board level for sure.

Pakistan are not doing anything dishonourable, they are fulfilling fixtures according to the FTP. It is our prerogative on how we want to fulfil them and what strength we send.

The point is that the PCB are still paying the players their match fees or a fraction of it, whilst the players are free to enjoy time off for mental and physical relaxation, doing movies and adverts or promoting cricket in schools+universities. Come the big matches, these boys will be there and ready to face the big guns at the world stage. Also it gives a chance for our bench to actually do what they can to develop into international class and not phased when they get the opportunity to represent their country.

 

[Babar_Azam_fan]

People need to accept the reality and the superiority of IPL.

I know it’s sad Pak players cannot play in it, but it is what it is.

From next year there will be 10 teams, which means more days of IPL. Every individual on here will choose the option where there is more money, but poor cricketers shouldn’t lol. Pure hypocrisy

 

[gazza619]

Maybe they can build a rivalry between Kane Williamson and Abdullah Shafique

Lol. Shafique needs to score runs in domestic cricket which is the first step. I dont know what merit basis he fulfils.

 

[Rana]

Lol. Shafique needs to score runs in domestic cricket which is the first step. I dont know what merit basis he fulfils.

That’s for the broadcasters, especially the biased Kiwi commentators to build up. They will have to work with what they get just like Pakistani broadcasters have to work with NZ c team

 

[gazza619]

People need to accept the reality and the superiority of IPL.

I know it’s sad Pak players cannot play in it, but it is what it is.

From next year there will be 10 teams, which means more days of IPL. Every individual on here will choose the option where there is more money, but poor cricketers shouldn’t lol. Pure hypocrisy

I believe India would have been a powerhouse in cricket today even without IPL. BCCI was already rich, had good administrators and had started investing heavily in the grassroots long time ago.

I think we need to stop hyping IPL for everything.

 

[Babar_Azam_fan]

I believe India would have been a powerhouse in cricket today even without IPL. BCCI was already rich, had good administrators and had started investing heavily in the grassroots long time ago.

I think we need to stop hyping IPL for everything.

No, IPL has what made India the cash cow and IPL is one which is making players skip international cricket

 

[MenInG]

Nothing ICC can do. New Zealand Cricket took that decision and we should respect that. Not the best for cricket but such is life.

 

[Saj]

This will happen even more in future.

Sad reality really and not much ICC can do.

It will be interesting to see how Boards manage this.

 

[BDfanforever]

Secondly, IPL is ensuring that future for cricketers is secure so that most cricketers will aspire for IPL and similar other leagues if they also offer hefty paychecks.

This is similar to league football, where players want to be in Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid when they grow up as footballers.

Their country matters too. But only in World Cups and qualifiers and Euros. Because what those clubs give, the country simply cannot in finance.

Cricket will revolve around LEAGUES and international cricket would be World Cup every 4 years.

We can have a T20 cup every 4 years like the Euros.

The only cricket that would suffer would be Test Cricket but I actually already fear for Tests.

No one has the time to sit for 5 days at grounds for an outcome of a match that might end as a draw with rain or draw.

The world is fast paced.

Much as I like tests, they simply have no niche anymore.

No game goes 40 hours without a result.

Not even golf.

Cricket is not into that position yet like Football. I find club football to be no where as entertaining as international football. Also, the competition is really poor at club level. For example, Messi could score in LA Liga with ease, but would struggle even against a Nigerian defense.

 

[sweep_shot]

I don't think ICC can do much here.

Big 3 have a lot of power.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

I think that the one thing to be careful of is that to not think that NZ or any board for that matter is doing this deliberately, it's unfortunate that the IPL is being played when we had the SA away series and now the home series with NZ. It's frustrating i know but players are making good money from IPL and who are we to stop them? Yes, intl cricket should be given precedence but this was just a strange circumstance, had IPL finished when it should have then NZ's main players would have come to Pakistan guaranteed.

 

[Kroll]

Inzi's the one that's sleeping if genuinely believes players are going to Pakistan than opt for the riches of the IPL.

All Pakistan can do is smash whoever gets put in front of them.

 

[IMMY69]

Cricket is not into that position yet like Football. I find club football to be no where as entertaining as international football. Also, the competition is really poor at club level. For example, Messi could score in LA Liga with ease, but would struggle even against a Nigerian defense.

Whilst I agree that Cricket is essentially an international sport whereas football is supported domestically in various leagues around the world I would nonetheless respectfully disagree with your Messi example.

A top premier league or Spanish league team will more often then not beat an international team (other then maybe the very top international sides).

For example, Man City of today would run close and maybe even beat an England side.
You only have to do a player vs player comparison.
Furthermore. The club side plays 40 odd games a season together, is coached and managed throughout an entire season and pre-season.

The reason Messi may not penetrate a top international defence is probably more due to the players around him in the Argentinian team. Surround him with Barack players of 3 to 5 years ago and there's proby no team that Dan stop him scoring.

 

[Rajdeep]

Think this issue is only for this year due to covid. In a normal year IPL window is only Apr-May and rest of the 10 months is for international cricket.

 

[Mamoon]

It is not ICC’s fault that Williamson is a shameless mercenary with no honor and respect for his country.

Your captain sets the precedence, and he has shown the way for his teammates. Money over representing New Zealand cricket.

 

[IMMY69]

I think on this occasion we should just be grateful that a representative team from New Zealand will be touring..

 

[Titan24]

Think this issue is only for this year due to covid. In a normal year IPL window is only Apr-May and rest of the 10 months is for international cricket.

Fair point that this might be a one off year but, SA, Aus and now NZ players with their decisions have shed light towards a possible reality that for all these players national duty takes a back seat when money comes in contention.

Also not to forget players could have realized too that its is a one off year where they could have preferred their national teams while in rest of the years they play in the dedicated window without having to chose between the two.

Really surprising that they couldnt have even forgo a single season or even half a season of the league to represent their national team.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

It is not ICC’s fault that Williamson is a shameless mercenary with no honor and respect for his country.

Your captain sets the precedence, and he has shown the way for his teammates. Money over representing New Zealand cricket.

First it was Amla, then Moeen Ali and these day Williamson. Stop this non stop hate already dude.

On topic, IPL will be the end of international cricket and ultimately destroy the beautiful game.

 

[Mamoon]

First it was Amla, then Moeen Ali and these day Williamson. Stop this non stop hate already dude.

On topic, IPL will be the end of international cricket and ultimately destroy the beautiful game.

Not hating, simply stating facts.

Some people, or perhaps most people, won’t shut up about how great a role-model Williamson is and how inspirational a leader he is for New Zealand.

He even won a charity World Cup player of the tournament award ahead of Stokes for these reasons.

Now this “role model” and “inspirational leader” has chosen IPL over New Zealand, and his fans don’t know how to defend him. It is comical really.

 

[rockyboy2018]

It will be a comedy scene if Pakistan loses to such an NZ team. It will be Moharam in the whole Pakistan before the Twenty20 world cup

 

[gazza619]

It is not ICC’s fault that Williamson is a shameless mercenary with no honor and respect for his country.

Your captain sets the precedence, and he has shown the way for his teammates. Money over representing New Zealand cricket.

Doesnt the NZ board also cut a commission from the players’ earnings? I think they rather he played the IPL

 

[UzmanBeast]

Secondly, IPL is ensuring that future for cricketers is secure so that most cricketers will aspire for IPL and similar other leagues if they also offer hefty paychecks.

This is similar to league football, where players want to be in Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid when they grow up as footballers.

Their country matters too. But only in World Cups and qualifiers and Euros. Because what those clubs give, the country simply cannot in finance.

Cricket will revolve around LEAGUES and international cricket would be World Cup every 4 years.

We can have a T20 cup every 4 years like the Euros.

The only cricket that would suffer would be Test Cricket but I actually already fear for Tests.

No one has the time to sit for 5 days at grounds for an outcome of a match that might end as a draw with rain or draw.

The world is fast paced.

Much as I like tests, they simply have no niche anymore.

No game goes 40 hours without a result.

Not even golf.

T20 leagues are problematic towards the scheme of international cricket. Like everything else, small amounts are good, but when everyone tries to do the same thing, it becomes very difficult to navigate.

The ICC will have to figure out a way to limit the number of T20 Leagues that are going around. Right now, you have the IPL, PSL, BBL, CPL, BPL, LPL, and the abomination called The Hundred. There are too many avenues to disrupt the flow of international cricket.

Now you might also come at me and say the IPL is the only league lucrative enough to draw cricketers and get them to leave international duty. The IPL is about 13-14 seasons old, it has had enough time to recuperate massive revenue from Indian viewership, allowing it to dispense preposterous sums of cash for even mediocre players. Other leagues don't have the financial capability to even match that type of paycheck, and neither does international cricket boards. However, as time progresses and these T20 leagues become more popular in their respective countries, money will hardly be an issue. Imagine having 3-4 leagues paying upwards of $1 million for about a 30-day stint. Even the most mediocre sloggers would be making extremely large quantities of cash, and international cricket will start to die.

I don't personally like watching much T20 cricket, it's repetitive and it's quite an unnecessary format. From where I stand, I think that the ICC has only a few options left to mitigate the spread of these leagues:

1) Remove the T20I format entirely, meaning that these T20 leagues would be rendered useless in terms of cricket boards giving them virtually no reason to even send their players to play a format that is no longer relevant.
2) Allow T20 leagues to continue, but reduce the time slots they have in the international calendar. This means that leagues should host doubleheaders every day so that minimum time is taken in the international calendar, or just increase the number of doubleheaders considerably.
3) Force cricket boards to collectively agree on either a solitary but incredibly large T20 league which composes of many teams, hosted once a year.

The last option would work best in an ideal world, but it is extremely unlikely to work as boards would not be willing to share profits.

I like the sound of the second option, where leagues that want to increase the number of teams will be forced to reduce the time they take up in the international calendar.

The ICC should also award time slots in the international calendar for a league to take place, and make strict legislature that if a league gets postponed, it shall not be able to take another slot in that same calendar year.

 

[Rajdeep]

Fair point that this might be a one off year but, SA, Aus and now NZ players with their decisions have shed light towards a possible reality that for all these players national duty takes a back seat when money comes in contention.

Also not to forget players could have realized too that its is a one off year where they could have preferred their national teams while in rest of the years they play in the dedicated window without having to chose between the two.

Really surprising that they couldnt have even forgo a single season or even half a season of the league to represent their national team.

There is only 1 winner in a straight fight between IPL and international cricket. This is purely due to the financial angle and most, if not all players will always choose IPL bcoz it simply pays more. It is no rocket science or fiction.

ICC understands it very well as well and hence given a free window. This year unfortunately due to covid IPL had to happen in installments. Hopefully this wont repeat and we get full 10 months of international cricket going forward.

 

[Cric_lover4487]

It is not ICC’s fault that Williamson is a shameless mercenary with no honor and respect for his country.

Your captain sets the precedence, and he has shown the way for his teammates. Money over representing New Zealand cricket.

Funny thing is people on this forum were celebrating Kane as a gentleman and Kohli as a sellout only a month ago. I feel if PSL/PCB were in a strong position like IPL/BCCI, none of the posters here would have a problem.

 

[Kroll]

It will be a comedy scene if Pakistan loses to such an NZ team. It will be Moharam in the whole Pakistan before the Twenty20 world cup

Still looks like a fairly strong squad tbh. Pakistan have struggled against these reserve sides recently.

 

[Mamoon]

Funny thing is people on this forum were celebrating Kane as a gentleman and Kohli as a sellout only a month ago. I feel if PSL/PCB were in a strong position like IPL/BCCI, none of the posters here would have a problem.

Exactly. Their humiliation is enjoyable.

 

[someone21]

It's about bilateral series, not international cricket. They are worthless, selfish, and simply for player stats.

The question is how can bilateral cricket be better and attractive? The answer is none. Modern time require matches to have meaning and values. You get that with IPL, World Cups, or cup tournaments.

Random bilateral cricket should be gone.

 

[IMMY69]

Not hating, simply stating facts.

Some people, or perhaps most people, won’t shut up about how great a role-model Williamson is and how inspirational a leader he is for New Zealand.

He even won a charity World Cup player of the tournament award ahead of Stokes for these reasons.

Now this “role model” and “inspirational leader” has chosen IPL over New Zealand, and his fans don’t know how to defend him. It is comical really.

You've got it all mixed up.
No one blames the players.

Hell I would wear an orange lungi and dance around with a drum in the middle of Mumbai if I were paid a couple of million dollars for a few weeks of playing cricket.

It's a no brainier and I doubt anyone blames the players...

 

[IMMY69]

It's about bilateral series, not international cricket. They are worthless, selfish, and simply for player stats.

The question is how can bilateral cricket be better and attractive? The answer is none. Modern time require matches to have meaning and values. You get that with IPL, World Cups, or cup tournaments.

Random bilateral cricket should be gone.

I can tell you for a fact that I would rather watch Pakistan or England play against Nepal or Hong Kong in a meaningless game then any domestic match, whether it's a PSL game or The Hundred...

 

[Mesozoic]

Guptill
Latham
Finn Allen
Blundell
De Grandhomme
Sodhi
Henry

Inzi shouldn't be too disappointment here. That's still a pretty good team (for Pak) and will most likely beat them if wickets are flat.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Inzamam is right in principle. But at some point you have to question the players too. Because at the end of the day they are ones responsible for themselves.

 

[Mamoon]

You've got it all mixed up.
No one blames the players.

Hell I would wear an orange lungi and dance around with a drum in the middle of Mumbai if I were paid a couple of million dollars for a few weeks of playing cricket.

It's a no brainier and I doubt anyone blames the players...

So who do you blame?

 

[IMMY69]

So who do you blame?

Covid-19

 

[Mamoon]

Covid-19

That is reasonable. I thought you say that you blame BCCI or ICC.

 

[IMMY69]

Inzamam is right in principle. But at some point you have to question the players too. Because at the end of the day they are ones responsible for themselves.

No one will refuse the money on offer.
Not you, not me and certainly not the players.

Obviously the last two years have been exceptional times and hopefully things will settle down again next year.

Players should be loyal to their countries, country should always come first but then that's down to the Country's Boards.
India doesn't let their players play any other leagues but then we all know why that is.
So the boards of other countries have to up their game (the ECB is trying to do that with The 100).

 

[IMMY69]

That is reasonable. I thought you say that you blame BCCI or ICC.

No not at all.
If other boards / countries want to compete they have to up their game.

But with all these leagues I do hope they remain in the windows they've been given.
For me nothing comes close to international cricket

 

[Snowflake]

Instead of crying to ICC, make yourself a strong enough team that competitors are afraid of sending their B to face. You beat NZ and Eng comprehensively and watch how they would give subsequent Pak tours more importance.

Can't ask for top tier competion if you are struggling to compete against B sides.

 

[Concerned]

Instead of crying to ICC, make yourself a strong enough team that competitors are afraid of sending their B to face. You beat NZ and Eng comprehensively and watch how they would give subsequent Pak tours more importance.

Can't ask for top tier competion if you are struggling to compete against B sides.

100%

Pakistan need to become a force in cricket to be taken seriously. Unfortunately, the team is so weak they won’t be able to dictate terms anytime soon.

 

[shamaan]

Pakistan should give chances to thier reserve players such as Abdullah shafique,saud shakeel,rohail Nazir

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

No one will refuse the money on offer.
Not you, not me and certainly not the players.

Obviously the last two years have been exceptional times and hopefully things will settle down again next year.

Players should be loyal to their countries, country should always come first but then that's down to the Country's Boards.
India doesn't let their players play any other leagues but then we all know why that is.
So the boards of other countries have to up their game (the ECB is trying to do that with The 100).

Hold on there friend. Just because you and a few players wouldn't refuse more money over less money doesn't mean everyone will. I know I would wouldn't prioritize money over national duty if I was in such a position hypothetically. And I'll have you know there are players like Starc out there who put country over T20 leagues. I don't think Starc has even played the IPL since 2014 or 2015.

 

[Giannis]

I dont see why people keep criticizing IPL.

If anything, most human beings will choose financial security over patriotism.

If NZ vs Pakistan had a bigger paycheck then IPL for NZ players, they would have decided to forego IPL.

Even Pakistani players themselves would have sent a B team if they were taking part in IPL.

Thats one aspect.

It's not really about financial vs patriotism, it's about ethics and principles - this decision is both unethical and unprincipled. Need I remind you that as a doctor you're allowed to protect your financial interests but you can't break the Hippocratic oath for that, likewise the ICC and its member boards have a duty to protect world cricket and respect other boards when they've agreed to play a bilateral series. Not every thing is about money.

 

[U$ofA]

T20 leagues are problematic towards the scheme of international cricket. Like everything else, small amounts are good, but when everyone tries to do the same thing, it becomes very difficult to navigate.

The ICC will have to figure out a way to limit the number of T20 Leagues that are going around. Right now, you have the IPL, PSL, BBL, CPL, BPL, LPL, and the abomination called The Hundred. There are too many avenues to disrupt the flow of international cricket.

Now you might also come at me and say the IPL is the only league lucrative enough to draw cricketers and get them to leave international duty. The IPL is about 13-14 seasons old, it has had enough time to recuperate massive revenue from Indian viewership, allowing it to dispense preposterous sums of cash for even mediocre players. Other leagues don't have the financial capability to even match that type of paycheck, and neither does international cricket boards. However, as time progresses and these T20 leagues become more popular in their respective countries, money will hardly be an issue. Imagine having 3-4 leagues paying upwards of $1 million for about a 30-day stint. Even the most mediocre sloggers would be making extremely large quantities of cash, and international cricket will start to die.

I don't personally like watching much T20 cricket, it's repetitive and it's quite an unnecessary format. From where I stand, I think that the ICC has only a few options left to mitigate the spread of these leagues:

1) Remove the T20I format entirely, meaning that these T20 leagues would be rendered useless in terms of cricket boards giving them virtually no reason to even send their players to play a format that is no longer relevant.
2) Allow T20 leagues to continue, but reduce the time slots they have in the international calendar. This means that leagues should host doubleheaders every day so that minimum time is taken in the international calendar, or just increase the number of doubleheaders considerably.
3) Force cricket boards to collectively agree on either a solitary but incredibly large T20 league which composes of many teams, hosted once a year.

The last option would work best in an ideal world, but it is extremely unlikely to work as boards would not be willing to share profits.

I like the sound of the second option, where leagues that want to increase the number of teams will be forced to reduce the time they take up in the international calendar.

The ICC should also award time slots in the international calendar for a league to take place, and make strict legislature that if a league gets postponed, it shall not be able to take another slot in that same calendar year.

I have to say that none of your points are viable or should be enforced. Because they involve force and not freedom of choice.

Force is never good. People should have the freedom to choose what to do. The free market should make the decisions. So I say, let the market forces take its course and be the final decider.

Freedom over force any time, all the time.

 

[U$ofA]

Hold on there friend. Just because you and a few players wouldn't refuse more money over less money doesn't mean everyone will. I know I would wouldn't prioritize money over national duty if I was in such a position hypothetically. And I'll have you know there are players like Starc out there who put country over T20 leagues. I don't think Starc has even played the IPL since 2014 or 2015.

The key word being hypothetical. Which likely applies to almost all in this forum.

Starc is just one example out of how many? I would guess at least a thousand players put their hand up at each IPL auction. So I would say Starc is an anomaly rather than rule of thumb.

 

[PakLFC]

There is much more money in the IPL then playing for New Zealand. Perhaps only the Ashes series can stand up to the IPL now. It is what it is.

 

[U$ofA]

There is much more money in the IPL then playing for New Zealand. Perhaps only the Ashes series can stand up to the IPL now. It is what it is.

Not so sure about the Ashes $$ vs IPL $$. How much $$ does an Ashes series bring in? Currently, each IPL season is bringing in north $550 million in broadcasting rights alone. Add to that all the other revenue streams.

Also, 2022 is the last year of the current broadcasting rights. Estimates are that the new IPL broadcasting rights could touch the $6 billion mark for a 5 year deal. Though I would say these are just guesstimates.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

What is Inzi's problem? Players can play wherever, whenever and with whoever they want as long as the national board permits. If Pakistan dislikes it, they can cancel the series.

As for IPL, like it or not IPL matches have far more significance than 50% of all international matches. They can make random cricketers set of life. Cricketers are paid professionals first and foremost, nobody is breaking any contract here.

 

[Giannis]

What is Inzi's problem? Players can play wherever, whenever and with whoever they want as long as the national board permits. If Pakistan dislikes it, they can cancel the series.

As for IPL, like it or not IPL matches have far more significance than 50% of all international matches. They can make random cricketers set of life. Cricketers are paid professionals first and foremost, nobody is breaking any contract here.

They have no significance to non indian except the foreign cricketers that play in it

 

[Joseph Gomes]

They have no significance to non indian except the foreign cricketers that play in it

They don't care about people who're not watching the matches they play in. The ones who do watch their matches pay the players a large sum.

 

[dildilpak]

Lets us be honest here - IPL/BCCI matters more to NZ team than a hastily squeezed-in white ball series with Pakistan. Especially this time around with the IPL preceding the T20 WC in Dubai, why would NZ not send their main players to the IPL to get acclimatised to the conditions? Afterall both England & Bangladesh cancelled their scheduled series for the same reason.

And apart from that, bilateral white ball series are well, worthless. Too often these days top boards use them as a sport diplomacy kinda stuff or as a platform to test out new players. Nobody takes them seriously, apart from Pakistan who usually will play a full strength team even against Zimbabwe!

Pakistan should not care whether a Black cap player is playing the series or not, they should just think of this as an important PR exercise - afterall a SENA country is touring after so many years which augers well for its future.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

The key word being hypothetical. Which likely applies to almost all in this forum.

Starc is just one example out of how many? I would guess at least a thousand players put their hand up at each IPL auction. So I would say Starc is an anomaly rather than rule of thumb.

Again, please don't hold everyone to your own cynical standards. I don't know you and you don't know me. So to say everyone is purely motivated by money is simply not true.

 

[U$ofA]

Again, please don't hold everyone to your own cynical standards. I don't know you and you don't know me. So to say everyone is purely motivated by money is simply not true.

I was agreeing with you that what you described was a hypothetical situation for most of us. That's all. Nothing more nothing less. Was not casting any aspersions on you are anyone else.

As far as the players go, all evidence seem to point to them picking $$$ over country. Not that there is anything wrong with it. They are just securing their future.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I was agreeing with you that what you described was a hypothetical situation for most of us. That's all. Nothing more nothing less. Was not casting any aspersions on you are anyone else.

As far as the players go, all evidence seem to point to them picking $$$ over country. Not that there is anything wrong with it. They are just securing their future.

In that case, my bad for misunderstanding you.

In the case of players, I don't agree with it, but at the end of the day they are responsible for their own decisions and nobody can tell them otherwise. That said, I do think there are other examples besides Starc if we look deeper.

 

[PakLFC]

Not so sure about the Ashes $$ vs IPL $$. How much $$ does an Ashes series bring in? Currently, each IPL season is bringing in north $550 million in broadcasting rights alone. Add to that all the other revenue streams.

Also, 2022 is the last year of the current broadcasting rights. Estimates are that the new IPL broadcasting rights could touch the $6 billion mark for a 5 year deal. Though I would say these are just guesstimates.

I mean English and Aussie players will choose to play in the Ashes due to the prestige attached to it. Financially, I am not sure if or not it would be more beneficial to the players but it would be a close call. You also seem to be suggesting that if purely based on money then the IPL is much more of an appeal to players.

 

[iniqbal223]

We are not top level team anymore; Just go back and see what we were doing inn tours of Aus, NZ, recently England, even SA C team gave us tough fight

NZ simply wants to see how good their fringe players are

 

[IMMY69]

Hold on there friend. Just because you and a few players wouldn't refuse more money over less money doesn't mean everyone will. I know I would wouldn't prioritize money over national duty if I was in such a position hypothetically. And I'll have you know there are players like Starc out there who put country over T20 leagues. I don't think Starc has even played the IPL since 2014 or 2015.

Look I agree with you snd yes there are exceptions like Starc.
However, you will always have people choosing to go for the money it's just human nature and the only way this can be stopped is by the boards themselves.

If the NZ Cricket Board had no issues with Williamson going to the IPL instead of this series then it's the Board's fault not the players. The players will play international cricket and against the likes of Pakistan again, they don't see it as the last opportunity to play international cricket... however missing IPL part 2 during covid could cost hundred of thousands now and possibly millions in the future so you can kind of see why they chose this route.

I don't like it one bit but that just harsh reality

 

[Cric_lover4487]

There is much more money in the IPL then playing for New Zealand. Perhaps only the Ashes series can stand up to the IPL now. It is what it is.

I have read reports regarding Ashes losing viewership and sponsorship money. Australia had to schedule series with India to earn profits. Even Olympics this time had massive drop in viewership. I guess new generation is more into social media and becoming an internet celebrity. Sports is losing fans in general. My younger cousins are more into IPL than international cricket.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

In that case, my bad for misunderstanding you.

In the case of players, I don't agree with it, but at the end of the day they are responsible for their own decisions and nobody can tell them otherwise. That said, I do think there are other examples besides Starc if we look deeper.

Starc is not the perfect example as he earns nearly half as much as IPL through his Cricket Australia contract and for most people money only becomes an issue at the start of their careers and he played IPL and then stopped it when he probably had enough in his coffers.

Imagine a rookie player who can earn 1 million dollars by his IPL contract and get set.

No rookie would forego that for 3 match T20 series for his country where he would earn 50,000 dollars and IF he gets lucky, continue playing for his country.

Give me example of a person in ANY field of life, forget cricket, who would forego millions offered in lieu of a few games for the country.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

IPL will take priority anytime in today's world. Nothing Pakistanis can do about it.
Just move on beat the teams they play, B/C/D whatever. Still international teams.

 

[Aman]

I'm excited about the squad we're sending over.

Will get a good look at Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra and Ben Sears (reportedly as fast as Lockie).

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Starc is not the perfect example as he earns nearly half as much as IPL through his Cricket Australia contract and for most people money only becomes an issue at the start of their careers and he played IPL and then stopped it when he probably had enough in his coffers.

Imagine a rookie player who can earn 1 million dollars by his IPL contract and get set.

No rookie would forego that for 3 match T20 series for his country where he would earn 50,000 dollars and IF he gets lucky, continue playing for his country.

Give me example of a person in ANY field of life, forget cricket, who would forego millions offered in lieu of a few games for the country.

Starc has 1.5 Million Contract with CA plus endorsements. Plus he has already made money by playing a couple of IPL Seasons. Younger Starc would have picked IPL as well.

 

[UzmanBeast]

I have to say that none of your points are viable or should be enforced. Because they involve force and not freedom of choice.

Force is never good. People should have the freedom to choose what to do. The free market should make the decisions. So I say, let the market forces take its course and be the final decider.

Freedom over force any time, all the time.

I'm talking about cricket here, not Adam Smith's Free Market Theory.

People will choose money over everything, but it is equally necessary for the ICC to stage some sort of intervention to combat this rapid growth of T20 leagues.

Believe what you want, but T20 leagues have already started the demise of international cricket, and they need to be managed better.

If you would rather stand idle and watch that happen, so be it. A lot of other people want to watch international cricket.

Whilst you are reading Adam Smith's free-market theory, it would also be wise to read about government intervention and the benefits associated with it. That way, you will get a multi-dimensional idea of the topic.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Hopefully the issues with the scheduling of the IPL can be reduced in the coming years.

The IPL rarely infringes on international cricket, it is just now that we are seeing this happen.

Frustrations are amplified due to the pending T20 World Cup.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

I'm talking about cricket here, not Adam Smith's Free Market Theory.

People will choose money over everything, but it is equally necessary for the ICC to stage some sort of intervention to combat this rapid growth of T20 leagues.

Believe what you want, but T20 leagues have already started the demise of international cricket, and they need to be managed better.

If you would rather stand idle and watch that happen, so be it. A lot of other people want to watch international cricket.

Whilst you are reading Adam Smith's free-market theory, it would also be wise to read about government intervention and the benefits associated with it. That way, you will get a multi-dimensional idea of the topic.

What may be death for you is possibly a new evolution of cricket for the future crowd, who will follow league cricket as compared to Test and International Cricket. What is to say what will survive ten years down the line. Hence Market Forces will decide the future, based on what majority people watch. Simple as.

 

[IMMY69]

I'm talking about cricket here, not Adam Smith's Free Market Theory.

People will choose money over everything, but it is equally necessary for the ICC to stage some sort of intervention to combat this rapid growth of T20 leagues.

Believe what you want, but T20 leagues have already started the demise of international cricket, and they need to be managed better.

If you would rather stand idle and watch that happen, so be it. A lot of other people want to watch international cricket.

Whilst you are reading Adam Smith's free-market theory, it would also be wise to read about government intervention and the benefits associated with it. That way, you will get a multi-dimensional idea of the topic.

I think they only way to bring on more money into the game and safe guard international cricket is to strengthen the lesser sides like Ireland, Zimbabwe, Nepal and to support countries like West Indies and Sri Lanka. If three or four of these sides become competitive then the demand to see them play will go up and you'll have higher viewership for games like Sri Lanka vs West Indies or Zimbabwe etc.

For this the ICC and the stronger boards have to take ownership of cricket in these countries and make it grow from grass roots up to the International level. I can't see any other way

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

IPL will take priority anytime in today's world. Nothing Pakistanis can do about it.
Just move on beat the teams they play, B/C/D whatever. Still international teams.

Why are some of you so arrogant? Can't you see IPL got its unofficial window once again this year but couldn't make use of it? They should have ended the pyjama league season in May itself rather than rescheduling it and putting some cricketers into a pick and choose situation. They made themselves available for Apr-May. This would not have happened had BCCI/IPL ended the season in May after making a mockery of bio secure bubble. Not sure whether you are a real cricket fan or not because you are certainly getting blinded by the 'chamak damak' of IPL and can't realise how IPL is killing international cricket.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Why are some of you so arrogant? Can't you see IPL got its unofficial window once again this year but couldn't make use of it? They should have ended the pyjama league season in May itself rather than rescheduling it and putting some cricketers into a pick and choose situation. They made themselves available for Apr-May. This would not have happened had BCCI/IPL ended the season in May after making a mockery of bio secure bubble. Not sure whether you are a real cricket fan or not because you are certainly getting blinded by the 'chamak damak' of IPL and can't realise how IPL is killing international cricket.

I don't care what you say or think. IPL will take priority and that is the truth. It is happening already.
In front of our eyes. NZ main players are going to IPL, England are priortizing IPL, it is a different future of cricket.
Like Industrial revolution left lot of old ways behind, and digital economies today are doing the same, it is the same thing with cricket.
What you consider killing of cricket, lot of young fans consider is the next big thing.
I do not need and certificates from you about being so called 'real' fan. Who cares.

 

[UzmanBeast]

What may be death for you is possibly a new evolution of cricket for the future crowd, who will follow league cricket as compared to Test and International Cricket. What is to say what will survive ten years down the line. Hence Market Forces will decide the future, based on what majority people watch. Simple as.

At some point in time, the ICC will have to intervene.

Most T20 leagues apart from the IPL struggle with garnering immense viewership. For countries like Pakistan, Australia, England, etc., the domestic T20 leagues are quite average, so most fans demand to see high-quality international cricket.

India is a separate case because the IPL is of very high quality, but at the same time, fans also demand international fixtures.

A new international calendar will most likely be created with designated slots for certain leagues.

With the initiatives to bring back the Champions Trophy, along with the WTC, the ICC is for once taking action to bring back the popularity towards these other formats.

I still think that getting rid of the T20I format will mean that T20 leagues have less of an incentive to grow and function apart from gaining revenue. There's a reason T10 and The Hundred won't be that popular, because the format simply doesn't exist to allow people and players to consider it.

Moving to T20 cricket solely is an unhealthy change in my mind. A good variety of formats is needed to meet everyone's interests.

 

[UzmanBeast]

I think they only way to bring on more money into the game and safe guard international cricket is to strengthen the lesser sides like Ireland, Zimbabwe, Nepal and to support countries like West Indies and Sri Lanka. If three or four of these sides become competitive then the demand to see them play will go up and you'll have higher viewership for games like Sri Lanka vs West Indies or Zimbabwe etc.

For this the ICC and the stronger boards have to take ownership of cricket in these countries and make it grow from grass roots up to the International level. I can't see any other way

There are several options, but more competitive international cricket is the best solution.

 

[IMMY69]

I don't care what you say or think. IPL will take priority and that is the truth. It is happening already.
In front of our eyes. NZ main players are going to IPL, England are priortizing IPL, it is a different future of cricket.
Like Industrial revolution left lot of old ways behind, and digital economies today are doing the same, it is the same thing with cricket.
What you consider killing of cricket, lot of young fans consider is the next big thing.
I do not need and certificates from you about being so called 'real' fan. Who cares.

But you have to realise that for a strong IPL you need to have strong international cricket that provides top players to participate.

India's approach at the moment is what is killing international cricket. For example, if they allowed their players to participate in the foreign leagues then those leagues will increase the income 100 times which will then filtrate down to their grass roots cricket.

If the current situation were to continue you would have a depleted IPL, devious of real stars which would mean average players earning above what their real market value is. Then in ten years time the only competitive International teams will be the big three which will kill the game completely.

You have to invest a little to reap the returns.

 

[IMMY69]

I am not asking you to care. Just putting a straight fact that NZ top players prioritised IPL over playing international cricket against Pakistan. And it will keep on happening.

The fact that any team from NZ will be touring Pakistan is a massive result for Pakistan.
It's really a win win situation.

 

[UzmanBeast]

I don't care what you say or think. IPL will take priority and that is the truth. It is happening already.
In front of our eyes. NZ main players are going to IPL, England are priortizing IPL, it is a different future of cricket.
Like Industrial revolution left lot of old ways behind, and digital economies today are doing the same, it is the same thing with cricket.
What you consider killing of cricket, lot of young fans consider is the next big thing.
I do not need and certificates from you about being so called 'real' fan. Who cares.

I don't care what you say or think. IPL will take priority and that is the truth. It is happening already.
In front of our eyes. NZ main players are going to IPL, England are priortizing IPL, it is a different future of cricket.
Like Industrial revolution left lot of old ways behind, and digital economies today are doing the same, it is the same thing with cricket.
What you consider killing of cricket, lot of young fans consider is the next big thing.
I do not need and certificates from you about being so called 'real' fan. Who cares.

Players are prioritizing IPL because they are deliberately being put in a situation to do so.

You continue to fail to understand that.

Nobody has a problem with the IPL unless it impacts the series of their respective nations.

T20 leagues in general are going to become a problem.

At the moment, IPL provides the highest paycheck. Who's to say in a few years, another league on Arab money pays the biggest bucks in town?

Now you have more, and more, and more leagues disrupting the flow of international cricket.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

I don't care what you say or think. IPL will take priority and that is the truth. It is happening already.
In front of our eyes. NZ main players are going to IPL, England are priortizing IPL, it is a different future of cricket.
Like Industrial revolution left lot of old ways behind, and digital economies today are doing the same, it is the same thing with cricket.
What you consider killing of cricket, lot of young fans consider is the next big thing.
I do not need and certificates from you about being so called 'real' fan. Who cares.

Not handing out certificates here but it is pretty clear you are more interested in business side of cricket. May be you are forgetting that without international cricket and players IPL will die too. As I said earlier you got blinded by the 'chamak damak' of IPL that is why you will find it hard to see these things.