Delays hit rebel league in India

The Indian Cricket League (ICL) has attracted players like Brian Lara, Inzamam-ul Haq and Mohammad Yousuf.

But it is coming under pressure after the Board of Control for Cricket in India refused to approve it, and then launched its own Twenty20 league.

ICL supremo Kapil Dev said: "November is the right time. At that time, even international players are free."

The ICL was launched in April by India's Essel Group, which owns the country's biggest listed media firm Zee Telefilms Limited.

Seven international stars and 44 Indian first-class cricketers have been signed up for the event which is now scheduled to begin on 17 November.

Though Pakistan stars such as Inzamam, Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq have signed contracts, they would have to effectively wave goodbye to successful Test careers to take part.

Lara and Glenn McGrath have already retired and, in theory, could pull in big crowds.

A number of Indian domestic players have also joined the league despite BCCI threats to ban them.

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