Players, staff ready to call it quits over delay in clearance of dues

The UPTwenty20 League, premier event of the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association, seems to be in troubled waters as a number of cricketers as well as support staff have reportedly refused to represent a few franchises.

- Sharad Deep

LUCKNOW: These franchises have allegedly failed to clear pending dues.

The third edition of the UPT20 League, which is due to be played in August-September on a hybrid model - with matches happening both at the Lucknow's Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium and at Kanpur's Green Park Stadium - is expected to hold players' auction here next week.

"I have officially told my franchise that I'm not available for the side this season as I haven't been paid my dues, which was supposed to be cleared by them by March 31 this year," said a senior board trophy cricketer on condition of anonymity.

"Even in the first edition of the event, which was held in Kanpur in 2023, I had to beg for my dues, and I could get that just before the start of the second edition, which was held in Lucknow," the cricketer said, adding, "I am also thinking to take legal action against the franchise as per my contract the money had to be paid to me within six months' time at the end of the event."

"Ever since I decided to leave the franchise, I have been offered different lucrative things, including my own payment before the auction for the new season. I have checked with other team members too and they too haven't been paid their dues," he added.