The ICC has granted official List A status to Major League Cricket games in the US in just its second season, a move aimed at promoting the game in one of the biggest sporting markets. The International Cricket Council’s decision comes a week before the MLC begins its second season and less than a week before the Americas host cricket’s showpiece event, the T20 World Cup. The ICC decision makes the MLC the official T20 league and America’s first world-class domestic tournament.
“Now, every century, half-century, ‘five for’, run-out, win, defeat and championship will be documented as official career statistics in an internationally recognized game format,” MLC said in a statement.
The MLC’s official status means it will provide local US players and future stars of the sport with the opportunity for international recognition, promoting the development of domestic talent in the country.
“List A status comes after the MLC’s successful inaugural season and underscores its unwavering dedication to delivering the best cricket in the United States,” the statement added.
MLC CEO Vijay Srinivasan recently announced the expansion of the tournament from 19 games in 2023 to 34 in 2025.
“We saw cricket mania sweep across the US last year following our inaugural season of Major League Cricket. Now, we give an exciting boost to the much-anticipated ICC T20 World Cup and the second season of the MLC,” said Srinivasan.
“With an unforgettable summer of cricket on our doorstep, we are ready to win the hearts of American sports fans with our thrilling, adrenaline-pumping game, which is the most exciting emerging T20 tournament in the world,” he added.
Sanctioned by USA Cricket, the MLC saw several players from across the world, including New Zealand and Australia among others, participate in the tournament last year.
Six teams – Los Angeles Knight Riders, MI New York, San Francisco Unicorns, Seattle Orcas, Texas Super Kings and Washington Freedom – participated in the inaugural edition.
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