spEver since its inception, the Indian Cricket League (ICL) has come across as a rebel enterprise that attracted retired or fringe cricketers. But according to ICL officials, the launching of a Bangladesh team, consisting of mostly current international cricketers, the league is expected to get the much-needed star status.

“We already have a team from Pakistan and with the forming of a Bangladesh team, ICL will certainly get an international flavour. The big difference this time is that the Bangladesh team will mostly have players who are presently active,” an official said. It is learnt that the Essel group, promoters of the ICL, have finalised talks with most of the players and is expected to make its signing public in the coming days. Among the several names doing the rounds are Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful and star bowler Mashrafe Mortaza.

Mass exodus?

While the ICL officials are excited about the new team joining the league, there is a high probability of Bangladesh cricket being pushed into a crisis because of this mass exodus. In case the Bangladesh stars do sign up, their Test and one-day squads, already languishing at the bottom of the ICC rankings table, might receive a big jolt. That apart, the ICC, which until now had been trying to play the role of a peaceful negotiator between the BCCI and the England Cricket Board (ECB) with regards to ICL players’ participation in the county circuit, will once again have their hands full.

ICL head Himanshu Modi, when contacted, said: “If there is a comment to be made we’ll make it at an appropriate moment.” Another Zee official, asked to explain the situation, said: “Mr Modi wouldn’t like to comment on the issue because there is no clarity as yet.” He further added: “Both the ICL and the IPL have been trying to talk to players all over, not just Bangladesh. At this point, I cannot be more specific.”