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Modi reveals blueprint of breakaway cricket body to rival ICC
‘I think this will re-write history once again’
‘It’s not a plan that's come off the cuff; it's been taking years and years and years in the making’
‘Modi’s blueprint comprises a calendar of events to rival the ICC's schedule in Tests and T20’
‘I think just the T20 and Test matches should be played’
He is living in exile and facing arrest, but that hasn't stopped sacked Indian Premier League Commissioner Lalit Modi from preparing a blueprint for a breakaway governing body for cricket to rival the International Cricket Council. The plan, he claims, is the future ‘world order’.
Modi, who faces allegations of financial impropriety, is currently based in London. The new body, he said, will be affiliated with the Olympic movement and oversee Test and T20 competitions, and scrap the ODI format altogether.
"We're talking about another cricketing system. There is a blueprint out there; it's got my rubber stamp on it," Modi told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
"I've been involved in putting that blueprint together. We could take on the existing establishment, no problem. It requires a few billion dollars; I don't think it would be a problem to get that into action," he said.
"The plan that I have put together is a very detailed plan, it's not a plan that's come off the cuff, it's been taking years and years and years in the making," he added.
A pariah in cricket after being sacked in 2010 as commissioner of the very league he conceptualized, Modi has an arrest warrant against him, based on the Enforcement Directorate's allegations.
On his part, he vehemently denies all charges against him.
The controversial administrator said his plan would only fail if the ICC, currently headed by his nemesis and former Board of Control for Cricket in India President Narayanaswami Srinivasan, carries out reforms.
"I hope that print [the blueprint] doesn't take off. But if the people can't continue, then that print will take off and that blueprint will become the world order tomorrow. I guarantee you that, sitting here today," he said.
Modi said his blueprint comprises a calendar of events to rival the ICC's schedule in Tests and T20 games.
"The plan conceives only of Test cricket and T20; it doesn't take into account one-day at all. I think that is completely redundant in today's day and age. I think just the T20 and Test matches should be played," he said.
The ICC, he added, should look to get the International Olympic Committee's affiliation.
"I have been proposing that. The ICC will never agree to that; never means never. It is a plan that one day, if I ever implement it, will re-write history in sport.
"IPL has re-written history in sport in the way it's marketed. I think this will re-write history once again."