ICL second season set to explode today

Hyderabad, Oct. 9: The Indian Cricket League is all set to get a glittering start on Friday when the defending champions Hyderabad Heroes take on last edition’s runners-up Lahore Badshahs in the opening tie of the second season at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium here.

The ICL, which will be participated by nine teams, including new entrant Dhaka Warriors, has increased the prize money on offer by more than Rs 1 crore, with the triumphant side getting Rs 2 crore and the runners-up pocketing Rs 1 crore, organisers said here on Thursday.

In the second season the total prize money will be Rs 13.72 crore, out of which the semifinalists will get Rs 50 lakh each. The man of the series will be richer by Rs 40 lakh while the man of the match would get Rs 2 lakh.

But, the possibility of rain looms large as the stadium is lacking in high-end equipments like super-soppers and the organisers are putting fingers crossed hoping the rain Gods smile on Friday after some spells of heavy downpour today.

Friday’s opening ceremony, a 25-minute spectacular extravaganza, will feature performances by over 250 dancers from Shiamak Davar’s troupe, involving over 100 drummers and around 20 international performers, besides fireworks and high effect technology performance.

With the teams having started pouring in the city, the stadium is getting ready to embrace the new edition of the ICL that will also be played in Panchkula, Gurgaon and Ahmedabad, which has been made the fourth venue this year. As the 15,000-seater stadium is expected to be choke-a-bloc, more than 150 security private security personnel have ben deployed, besides the police protection. — PTI

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Inzy looks for positive result

Hyderabad, Oct. 9: Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq hailed Sourav Ganguly for bowing out of the game in the right time though the Bengal stalwart could have served India for a couple of years more.

"Sourav Ganguly could have served India for sometimes more. He is a quality player, who has proved himself in a number of occasions," Inzamam said.

Inzamam, who is the skipper of Lahore Badshahs team in the ICL, also hailed the meeting between ICC president David Morgan and ICL owner Subhash Chandra in London.

"I hope a positive result will come out of the initiative as by participating in the ICL, we are not going against the ICC," he said. — PTI