MLC gets List A status, eyes expansion to 10 teams

Major League Cricket (MLC) is gearing up for an exciting expansion as it eyes the possibility of growing to 10 teams in its flagship T20 tournament. After successfully completing its first season with six teams playing in a single round-robin format, MLC is set to expand to an eight-team tournament in the next two seasons, with plans to eventually include a total of 10 teams.

The ICC recently granted List A status to MLC games, a significant boost for the fledgling league with a $120 million investment. This move highlights the quality of cricket on display in the inaugural season and sets the stage for even more thrilling matches in the future.

CEO of MLC, Vijay Srinivasan, expressed excitement about the league’s growth and the upcoming season, coinciding with the highly anticipated ICC T20 World Cup. With plans to capture the hearts of American sports fans, MLC is positioned as one of the most exciting emerging T20 tournaments globally.

While MLC’s expansion is promising, it may impact the English game as the league aims to establish a 10-week window for its 10 teams to compete in a home and away format. With American and English cricket seasons overlapping, competition from leagues like the Blast and the Hundred is expected as they vie for top talent.

The success of MLC’s inaugural season has attracted sponsorship from industry leaders like Cognizant and Stake, with Cognizant pledging close to $2 million for the upcoming season. Additionally, the USA men’s recent historic series win over Bangladesh has further highlighted the country’s growing presence in the T20 cricket scene.

As MLC continues to make waves both on and off the field, cricket fans can look forward to an action-packed season ahead with the league’s expansion and the rising popularity of the sport in the United States.