The inaugural Twenty20 Champions League has been postponed in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
Twenty20 tournament postponed following attacks
The inaugural Twenty20 Champions League has been postponed in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
The tournament, due to start next Wednesday, was to bring together the top club sides from Australia, England, South Africa and Pakistan, as well as host nation India.
However, with Indian officials unable to guarantee the safety of the players following the shootings that have killed more than a hundred people, the decision was taken to call off the event until a later date.
Officials from Australia and South Africa had been in discussions with Indian board officials, stating that the players' safety was paramount.
Lalit Modi, the chairman of the Champions League Twenty20, said: "We held consultations among all the stakeholders including the founding members, the participating teams and members of the Governing Council after the unfortunate terrorist attacks in Mumbai last night.
"It was agreed that in the best interests of all concerned, the inaugural edition of the Champions League 2020 should be postponed.
"We very strongly condemn this dastardly and heinous criminal act of a few which has resulted in the loss of precious lives and injury to hundreds.
"We offer our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and we are with them in their hour of grief."
Shaun Udal, captain of Middlesex, who as Twenty 20 Cup winners were due to represent England, said the correct decision has been made.
"It's probably a sensible decision to postpone it for now," he told
Sky Sports News. "I don't see any point carrying on with the tournament in such circumstances.
"There was talk of switching venues but I think the correct decision has been made.
"It was only a week's worth of cricket. I would hope very much that we can squeeze it in (another time) because the cricket would have been fantastic."
