LAHORE : The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has banned seven cricketers, including former skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq from playing the domestic league, for taking part in the Indian Cricket League (ICL).

“Since the ICL is not recognised by the PCB and the Indian cricket board, the players who have joined the ICL despite warnings from their respective boards will not be allowed to play in the domestic circuit,” PCB spokesman said.

Besides Inzamam, the other players banned by the PCB are Abdul Razzaq, Shabbir Ahmad, Azhar Mehmood, Taufiq Umar and Imran Farhat.

“The rebel players have tried to contact the PCB through their respective departments, but the board gave them a cold shoulder,” the spokesman said.

He said despite showing good performance in the ICL, the players would not be considered even for the national camp.

“The board is following ‘zero tolerance policy’ towards such players,” the Daily Times quoted him, as saying.

Johannesburg : Despite his side, Chandigarh Lions, losing to the Chennai Superstars in the final of the Indian Cricket League Twenty20 tournament, South African cricketer Andrew Hall has said the success of the inaugural event justified the participation of international players, most of whom have been branded rebels.Writing in his weekly column “Report from a Rebel” in the Afrikaans weekly Rapport here, Hall said the tournament was “a gigantic success” and the players were very happy with the way it had turned out.

“This success has vindicated my decision - and that of all the other South African players - to come and play here (in Chandigarh ). Sometimes one has to take a chance, especially with something which is initially a gamble.”

Hall’s side lost to the Chennai Superstars Sunday in the finals of the inaugural Indian Cricket League (ICL) Twenty20 championship.

Hall and several other South African players have been considered rebels by Cricket South Africa , the national body for the sport here. Some are in litigation with the body after it decided to exclude them from even local squads.

“It’s incredible how the players from the different countries came together to make the ICL such a showpiece. Besides all the excitement on the field, the tournament also gave us as players an outcome - a guaranteed future and (job) security.

“Everyone knew exactly when they would be playing, how you would be used and that you are appreciated as a player, something every (player) wants in his career,” Hall added.

Hall said it did not matter that his side lost the game.

“I had the opportunity to teach a few young Indian players something which hopefully will make a difference in their careers. That is in the long run why every one of the so-called international players was here.”

Chennai Superstars won the inaugural Indian Cricket League (ICL) 20:20 Indian Championships with a 12-run victory over Chandigarh Lions in the final at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula on Sunday.

Batting first after losing the toss, the Chennai Superstars made 155/8 in their stipulated 20 overs, largely due to useful contributions from their two Aussie imports — opener Ian Harvey making 36 off 31 balls and captain Stuart Law making 34 off 28 balls.

Daryl Tuffey was the most successful bowler for the Chandigarh Lions with figures of 2/32.

In reply, the Chandigarh Lions could muster only 143/8.  Tejinder Pal Singh top scored with 35 off 33 balls while South African all-rounder Andrew Hall was left unbeaten at 30 off 27 balls.

Pakistan seamer Shabbir Ahmed impressed with the ball for the Superstars with figures of 4/23 while Harvey completed an all round effort taking 2/26.

CHANDIGARH: Telecom service provider Spice has tied up with the Essel Group’s Indian Cricket League (ICL) to provide the live coverage of their ongoing Twenty20 tournament to its subscribers.

The launch of the service, named Spice TV, was attended here today by former international cricketers including Brian Lara and Chris Cairns, who are in the city to participate in the inaugural Twenty20 tourney.

“Our subscribers, both pre-paid and post-paid can now choose from a bouquet of 13 channels ranging from news, entertainment to cartoon channels,” Mukul Khanna, Vice President Marketing, Spice Telecom said.

For watching all the channels, that Spice TV offers, the subscribers will have to pay Rs 175 per month.

The pre-paid subscribers also have the option of paying per day at the rate of Rs 10 for watching all channels while subscribing only to news channels will cost Rs 125 per month and Rs 100 for the entertainment pack.

Panchkula, Haryana: The Hyderabad Heroes led by former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq faltered in a do-or-die match here Wednesday evening, crashing out of the Indian Cricket League (ICL) Twenty20 championship after losing to the Kolkata Tigers by 53 runs.

The Kolkata Tigers, who became the last team to make it to the semi-final round of the breakaway championship, finished on top of the points table.

With the Brian Lara-led Mumbai Champs already out of the semi-final slots, the Heroes became the second star-studded team to be knocked out of ICL at the Tau Devi Lal cricket stadium.

The Heroes, who opted to field first after winning the toss, could not put up a solid batting performance as Tigers’ bowlers S Tarafdar, who was declared the player of the match, and Lance Klusener picked up three wickets each.

Chasing a target of 169 runs, the Heroes were bundled out for 115 runs in 16.2 overs.

Earlier, the Tigers scored 168 runs for five wickets in their 20 overs with skipper Craig Macmillan leading from the front with a 35-ball 50 runs, including four sixes.

Brief scores:

Kolkata Tigers: 168 for 5 wickets in 20 overs (Craig Macmillan 50 runs in 35 balls)

Hyderabad Heroes: 115 all out in 16.2 overs (Abdul Razzak 37 runs from 28 balls, S Tarafdar 3/20, Lance Klusener 3/26)