No IPL or PSL groups in rebranded Champions League T20 backed by ICC

Earlier this month, it came out that the Champions League T20 (CLT20) will be revived under a new name, the World Clubs Championship (WCC). The tournament, which saw teams from different franchise leagues compete against one another, was scrapped in 2015 due to low ratings.

However, with steam building regarding the Saudis trying to compete with cricket boards via a 6-team event to be called the Saudi Super Slam, the CLT20 is being revived. And it’s being backed by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

PCB, PSL uninterested?

At the World Cricket Connects 2025, last month, the plan was discussed. CEOs of franchise leagues were invited, and the ICC Chairman Jay Shah was there as well. However, no one from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) or Pakistan Super League (PSL) turned up.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board was invited to send its CEO of the PSL for a meeting held on the sidelines of the Cricket Connect meeting in London last month but no one showed up. The PCB didn’t show up and strangely, Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has also not regularly attended ICC meetings,” sources told PTI.

No IPL team in WCC despite BCCI backing

That takes out one major market. And the biggest market, India, won’t be there either. No team from the Indian Premier League (IPL) will play in the WCC despite the backing of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. From what’s understood, only 5 teams will play from 5 different leagues. And IPL or PSL won’t be one of the teams.

“Discussions were held on the proposed World Clubs Championship, its window, format, schedule, etc. (The) CEOs of the Emirates League, Big Bash League, The Hundred, SA20, MLC, Caribbean Premier League, etc., attended the meeting. Though the planned event has the backing of the Indian board, for the inaugural championship there will be no IPL participation,” the source added.