Sports Minister criticises CAB for leaving out ICL recruits

West Bengal Sports minister Subhas Chakraborty has again come out in support of the Indian Cricket League (ICL), terming as 'incorrect' Cricket Association of Bengal's decision to leave out six players who joined the ICL from the state squad for the Moin-ud-Dowla Gold Cup.

"Teams should always be composed of the best players," Chakraborty said. "After the Delhi High Court's interim order, what the CAB has done is not correct."

The minister also attached little importance to the ICC's announcement that it would not recognise the ICL unless the Indian board okayed the league. "Getting recognition is not that important. Did the CAB have official status from the day of its birth? Earlier Bengal cricket was run by the National Cricket Club. The CAB has attained its present hallowed position after working for decades. Everybody has to start somewhere. The same is true for the ICL."

Chakraborty refused to give details of his discussions with ICL bosses but said: "I have told them that they should come to us once their court case with the BCCI was over."