After the American Premier League last season, the National Cricket League (NCL) in the US has not gotten off to a great start. Following the NCL’s debut, a number of problems have arisen that call into doubt its operational integrity and international standards.
The breach of laws sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) is one of the worries. The NCL has a history of breaking the ICC rule, which mandates that teams start with at least seven domestic or associate players. Given that the league’s commissioner is former ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat, this inaccuracy is very concerning.
In addition, the league might be breaking US immigration regulations. To compete in American events, professional athletes usually need to obtain special visas; this process can cost up to USD 6,000 per participant. Nevertheless, there are claims that, in an effort to save money, the NCL might have permitted some players to enter the nation on vacation visas, putting these sportsmen at risk for legal trouble.
To remain relevant, NCL is actively looking for funding from nearby cricket enthusiasts: Reports
The circumstances on the pitch have likewise not lived up to expectations. Concerns regarding the pitch’s quality have been raised by players, who have reported uneven surfaces and erratic bounce. Fast bowlers were considered too dangerous for hitters, and things got so bad that teams were told to stick to spin bowling alone.
Another thing to be concerned about is the NCL’s economic sustainability. The league doesn’t seem to be making much money, as seen by its lack of a commercial TV agreement and low attendance. According to reports, the NCL is actively looking for local cricket enthusiasts to invest in order to maintain its relevance.
Notwithstanding these obstacles, the NCL has made an effort to raise awareness of itself by appointing cricket luminaries such as Wasim Akram, Viv Richards, and Sunil Gavaskar as ambassadors. The league will grow as a result of Sachin Tendulkar’s recent declaration that he is one of its owners.
India
