Prior to the semi-finals of the present American Premier League (APL), organizer Jay Mir was observed engaging in a contentious dispute with the hotel personnel in Houston. Profane language was employed, while the specifics of the verbal altercation remain undisclosed. According to reports, the umpires also declined to enter the field prior to the semi-finals. According to reports, the organizers contacted the police, but no arrests were made. However, a statement indicates that the individuals were expelled from the premises.
More drama from the team hotel. American Premier League organizer Jay Mir is seen here in a profanity laced exchange with hotel desk staff that are housing the visiting teams in Houston, Texas. https://t.co/rzodjRUVSg pic.twitter.com/mIcJjtnIm2
— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) December 30, 2023
American Premier League said on its social media platform that the umpires had taken control of the semifinals, accusing Danny Khan, Vijaya Prakash Mallela, and Brian Owens of “blackmailing” the organizers and requesting additional payment for their services in the knockout matches. The organizers confirmed that the umpires received an initial payment of USD 30,000; nevertheless, they still declined to participate in the event.
The umpires received an initial payment and then used their position to exert pressure on the owner by withholding the semifinal match unless they were given an additional 30k. Danny Khan, Vijaya, and Brian Owens were informed that they were not allowed to engage in blackmail or hold the semi-hostages as umpires. However, these avaricious umpires did not yield. Consequently, they were instructed to depart so that the match could proceed. Despite this, they refused and held the match hostage.
Subsequently, the authorities were contacted, as stated by American Premier League on their X (formerly Twitter) account.
“The avaricious umpires were ejected from the field.” The article criticized the umpire for unjustly prolonging a match, particularly during the playoffs, and coercing the league owner through blackmail.
Peter as always you don’t get both sides of the story before posting .
These are the real facts of this incident for the record.
The Umpires were paid a down payment and they held the semifinal hostage and black mailed the owner in shelling out 30k or else no match— American Premiere League (APL) (@APLCRICKETUSA) December 31, 2023
Danny Khan ,Vijaya ,Brian Owens were told that they cannot black mail and hold the semi hostage as an umpire but these greedy umpires didn’t budge at which point they were asked to leave so the match goes on and they refused and held the match hostage at which point cops called
— American Premiere League (APL) (@APLCRICKETUSA) December 31, 2023
Cricket journalist Peter Della Penna, who is well-known in the field, then disseminated the umpires’ remarks, in which Vijaya provided a detailed account of the entire affair. Allegedly, the umpires have not received compensation for their services and law enforcement was contacted when they insisted on being paid.
“I am Vijaya Prakash Mallela, an umpire on the ICC Panel from the United States.” Collaborating with the teams over the past 10 days was a delightful experience. Regrettably, this situation must conclude with umpires not receiving the remaining sum of around $30,000.00 while having already covered our own expenditures. We were reported to the police when we insisted on receiving payment for our services and expenditures. We were compelled to depart. Penna sent her well wishes to everyone for their future pursuits by sharing a snapshot of her statement.
Here’s another update from the drama unfolding in Texas today at the American Premier League T20 cricket event. Umpires who had the cops called on them by APL official for not taking the field say they refused to take the field because they were owed… Approximately $30,000. https://t.co/rzodjRUVSg pic.twitter.com/VaK5WLeyXM
— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) December 30, 2023
In the first semi-final, Premium Indians emerged victorious against Premium Pakistan by a margin of six runs. Rahkeem Cornwall scored 41 runs from 20 deliveries for the Indian team, while Amad Butt, Sunny Patel, and Adil Bhatti each took two wickets.
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