LAHORE: Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) move of launching a T20 league co-owned by SuperSport as a replacement of the now-scrapped T20 Global League has drawn the ire of a GLT20 franchise – Durban Qalandars.
ESPNCricinfo reports that the owners are planning to take the board to court, accusing it of violating the franchise rights agreement between them.
The Qalandars were all set to own a team in the T20 Global League last year, which was later postponed and then scrapped by the board altogether due to logistical, financial, broadcasting and sponsorship concerns.
In the new competition, CSA has not involved any of the eight team owners. However, the Qalandars, who also own Lahore’s team in the Pakistan Super League, contractually continue to hold the rights for owning Durban’s T20 franchise, and considers itself an important stakeholder.
“We have had a successful experience with Lahore Qalandars in PSL and wanted to grow globally,” Durban Qalandars’ CEO Sameen Ranawas told ESPNCricinfo.
“We couldn’t resist investing in South Africa, a country which has a big cricketing history and with the talent around I felt it was an excellent opportunity for us expand our venture. We were particularly keen to invest in cricket development in the Kwa-Zulu Natal province.
