Jay Mir, the CEO of American Sports and Entertainment Group. Inc is coming up with a mega-show this October. APL or American Premier League is an idea that will envelop the American nation in the mentioned month. However, APL is unsanctioned by ICC and it believes that the Rebel American League will cause a lot of nuisance.

To combat the march of APL, I.S Bindra, Principal Advisor of ICC has advised US officials to explore a model akin to the IPL and set up a tournament in America. Such a model will succor from the fever of T20 cricket and certainly amass funds required for the development of cricket in America. Presently, only the South Asian contingent seems interested in the fame.

Mr. Bindra believes that regulating a rebellious enterprise would not be as successful as finding a plausible alternative to curb its growth. He cited the example of India where ICC has virtually nipped Rebel League ICL in the budding stage by sponsoring IPL (already an illustrious league within an year of its formation).

APL has already recruited the services of former legend Sir Richard Hadlee as an executive consultant.  It has also confirmed Richie Richardson for the post of Chief recruiter and Premium West Indies coach. All these are efforts to gain credibility as also to boost the set-up even further.

The American Rebel League will hold its matches at the Staten Island in New York and it has already converted a minor league stadium into a cricket stadium. Statue of Liberty and River Hudson would lord over the beautiful stadium.

6 teams shown below are expected to take part in the first event of American Premier League (APL 2009). Currently the following Players in the respective teams have confirmed their positions for the APL Premier League 2009;

Premium Pakistan

• Moin Khan (Coach)
• Inzamam Ul Haq (Captain)
• Imran Nazir
• Imran Farhat
• Rana Naved
• Toufeeq Umar
• Abdul Razzaq
• Shahid Nazir
• Shabbir Ahmed
• Humayun Farhat

Premium India

Premium Bengal

Andrew Shedlock (Coach)

Premium West Indies

Richie Richardson (Coach)

Premium World

• John Emburey (Coach)
• Damien Martyn (Captain)
• Lance Kluesner
• Adam Hollioke
• Graeme Hick
• Jason Gillespie
• Marvan Attapatu
• Nathan Astle
• Nantie Hayward

Premium America

Holliake and Hicks have joined the ranks of American League too. It remains to be seen if their participation is taken in the fitness of things. At the moment it is sucked with more than a pinch of salt by ECB. ECB believes that the APL is unauthorized and is running against the stipulations of ICC. ECB has always been a traditional body and it has shirked aside any plans to accept APL within its umbrella.

To give APL a little sanity, Richie Richardson is being hired as the chief recruiter. At the same time, Sir Richard Hadlee is being sought for the post of Executive Consultant. While these two names may bring much-desired credibility to the October show, it remains to be seen how far it can attract the masses. America does not know a great deal about cricket and only the South Asian contingent follows the game.

Let’s hope that cricket wins and that the county players get to prove their mettle as well.

American premier league is hitting off in October 2009. It is the brainchild of Jay Mir, CEO of American Sports And Entertainment Group. Inc. Already, there is a lot of flutter regarding it and the media has been giving it kind attention. It is all in the fitness of things. The event is unfurling on the heels of T20 mania. IPL is doing exceedingly well in times that the column is being written.

For those who thought that IPL drew the entire craze in its inaugural edition owing to Indian venues, its time to rethink, the South African grounds are running to packed houses. This is why the American edition, to be held at Staten Island, NY, is expected to be a big affair too.

Richard Hadlee, former legend and among the very few to be knighted has already confirmed to being the executive consultant. He was besought for the post of board member and it is believed that his boarding the APL bus would provide the event a lot of credibility. APL requires the stamp of experts as the event is surely drawing a lot of ICC wrath. This is chiefly because the event stars many cricketers of the ICL (rebel league).

Along with Richard Hadlee, another New Zealand recruits include Nathan Astle and Chris Harris. Adam Parore might join soon too. Richie Richardson is another past celebrity who is adding a lot of flesh to the League. He will be chief recruiter as well as the coach of Premium West Indies.

With the kind of response the ECB has given, it is more likely that there isn’t going to be a Premium England soon. Premium Bangladesh will kick off the tournament against premium Pakistan on October 6th. The inaugural edition will be played twice. First time, it’s slated to be held in October and for the second time it will be played in the month of April. The six teams mentioned above will face each other once from 6th to 20th of October.

Next, there will be a semi-final that’s booked for 21st October. “Best of three” finals will follow it. The third final will be played as per requirement. This is the tentative schedule though it is subject to clarification. At the moment, each one is keeping their fingers crossed in regards to the tournament getting underway. American Premier League is surely getting the brickbats from the ICC; thankfully it’s receiving a few bouquets from the masses too.

American Premier League Schedule

* The American Premier League 2009 Cricket Schedule (Dates and Time) is subject to Change.