Modi fears Arab T20 League could rival IPL

Former IPL (Indian Premier League) supremo Lalit Modi fears an Arab Twenty20 League being planned in the Middle East could derail his lucrative venture.

Modi alleged that Rajeev Shukla, the current IPL chief, was planning to start a Twenty20 league in the United Arab Emirates, according to a Hindustan Times report.

UAE has emerged as a popular neutral international cricket venue with Tests and one-day internationals having been staged in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.

The Sharjah Cricket Stadium has entered the Guinness Book of World Records for staging the highest number of ODIs numbering over 200.

Modi, who was sacked as IPL chairman in 2010 following allegations of misappropriation of funds, wrote on his Twitter account on Monday: "It seems new Leagues are starting to mushroom everywhere. Next Arab League in Middle East... Backed by I am told Rajiv Shukla and Jamil. Proposed League most dangerous for Indian cricket as it coincides with Indian Domestic and International Season..."

Modi, who has been based in London for almost two years now, added: "If allowed to go forward then they will definitely encroach on Indian Domestic Players. “As they have none of there own... Further will encroach on other Nations Players during the same period. If they were to play from June - Sep - its Hot. Thus a moot point."

While Shukla, the minister of state for parliamentary affairs, reacted to Modi's allegations as "rubbish" in a text message to HT.

Meanwhile, the IPL has lost its title sponsor after real estate giant DLF declined to renew its five-year deal, a company spokesman said on Tuesday.

"We have just stepped off the IPL," DLF group executive director Rajeev Talwar told the Press Trust of India.

"Sponsoring the IPL over the last five years was a strategic decision wherein we wanted to establish our brand presence across India as the leading real estate player.

"We believe that we have been able to achieve the desired objectives to a great extent."

DLF reportedly paid $50 million to be the title sponsor of the glitzy Twenty20 league for the first five years, a deal which ended with the 2012 edition in March-April.

The last date for renewal of the contract was July 28, Talwar added.

There was no immediate comment from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which owns the IPL.

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