ICL effect: Six Bangladesh cricketers quit

In the wake of the resignations, the board huddled for an emergency meeting on Sunday. 8220;We have summoned all six players to appear before the board on Tuesday to explain the reasons for retirement,8221; said Gazi Ashraf Hossain, chairman of the board8217;s cricket operations committee.

More resignations

Meanwhile, local media reported eight more players could quit the national team in order to join the ICL team, which will be called the Dhaka Warriors. Other former or current national team players who were also expected to the join the ICL include Mohammad Rafique, Alok Kapali, Nazim Uddin, Manjurul Islam, Tapash Baishya and Mohammad Sharif.

The loss of so many top players would devastate the Bangladesh national team, which already struggles to compete against the top sides in international play. Recently, they were vanquished by Australia 3-0 in an ODI series Down Under.

They host New Zealand in a Test and one-day series next month. Incidentally, New Zealand have also lost many of their top stars, including their pace spearhead Shane Bond, to the ICL.

The latest move gives a boost to the ICL8217;s plans of staging a cricket world cup of their own this year.