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With the Champions League T20 (CLT20) tournament being defunct, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has finally opened the doors for its return somewhere down the line as they explore the possibilities. It is to be noted that the T20 tournament was last played more than a decade ago. Its final edition took place in 2014 where Chennai Super Kings defeated Kolkata Knight Riders in the summit clash in Bengaluru.
However, the current cricketing scenario has seen a rise of franchise cricket across various countries, including The Hundred in England, South Africa T20 in South Africa, the International League T20 in the UAE and others, but recently, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Executive, Richard Gould informed of bringing back the defunct tournament under a new name.
ECB exploring possibilities of return of CLT20 as World Club Championship
ECB Chief Executive, Richard Gould informed ESPNcricinfo of the plans around the Champions League T20, bringing it this time for both men and women. However, he also added that the plans are still in its initial stages, but the tournament’s return is definitely on cards.
“That is on the cards. Without doubt, at some point, there will be a World Club Championship - for both men and women. That’s the next logical step,” he said, as quoted by India Today. Recalling the now defunct tournament, CLT20 was run by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), cricket Australia and the Cricket South Africa.
The tournament in its later stages found no takers in terms of sponsors as well as fans and saw its value drop significantly, forcing the boards to think of its future. They governing council of the three cricketing boards later met on the sidelines of IPL 2015 and the tournament was officially discontinued.
In its six-year history, IPL franchises Chennai Super Kings (2010 and 2014) and Mumbai Indians (2011 and 2013) emerged as the most successful teams with two wins each, while Australian sides New South Wales Blues (2009) and Sydney Sixers (2012) picked up one tournament win apiece.
