Players and officials taking part in this year's Desert Premier League (DPL) T20 do so at the risk of being "forbidden" from future ECB tournaments, according to Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) CEO David East.
In a statement released via their official website, East confirmed that the ECB are denouncing the competition, citing the DPL's inability to comply with the necessary ECB requirements for the tournament to be run by the Dubai Cricket Council.
“Regretfully, and despite the board’s best efforts, the Desert Premier League T20 has been unable to comply with the ECB’s requirements for this cricket tournament to be undertaken through one of its Regional Councils. For that reason we cannot approve the running of this tournament or any such tournament that operates without being sanctioned by the ECB.
“Any teams, players and officials that take part in this tournament may be forbidden from taking part in future approved ECB cricket tournaments. Participation may also result in players and officials being ineligible for national selection in the future. All necessary regional cricket councils have been notified of the decision”.
The news comes as a bitter blow for the DPL as the 48-team tournament enters its second installment without the backing of the sport's governing body and the very real prospect of its most talented players withdrawing from competing if they harbour any international recognition.
Held between 7 – 30 March at the Emirates Sevens Ground, and Emirates Palace Hotel, this year's edition was set to offer a total prize fund of AED 50,000 with last year's winners, the Wings Warriors, taking home AED 20,000 as reward for their success.
East explained that the decision was made with UAE cricket's best interests at heart, adding: “At a critical point in the development of cricket in the UAE, it is more important than ever that the cricketing community works together to create a sustainable programme of cricket excellence in the Emirates. The board looks forward to working with all who share our long term commitment to the game.”
With professional "A" Division teams unable to enter the DPL, the UAE's current crop of stars will not be effected by the move although the brightest talents on the periphery of the international setup will certainly think twice about participating in DPL II.
