The newly formed American Premier League generated a lot of buzz helped by media reports that the league signed Inzamam-ul-Haq and six other Pakistani cricketers for its inaugural season.

New Zealand all-rounder Richard Hadlee confirmed earlier today that he has joined APL as an ambassador and executive consultant.

Jay Mir, the President and CEO of American Sports and Entertainment Group Inc, has drawn up plans for a six-team tournament to be played in October at a baseball stadium in Staten Island.

Mr. Hadlee's endorsement is expected to provide new thrust to the infant league that Mir has called 'revolutionary.'

Mr. Mir also told Reuters that England spin bowler and ICL coach John Emburey had agreed to be coach of a 'Premium World' team. Richie Richardson is named as coach for Premium Windees.

The event and the teams

According to APL's website - www.AmericanPremierLeague.us, six teams - Premium Bengalees, Premium Paks, Premium Indians, Premium Windees, Premium World and Premium Americans, are expected to take part in this tournament.

Premium Paks team featuring Moin Khan (coach), Inazimam Ul Haq (sic) Captain, Imran Nazir, Imran Farhat, Rana Naved, Toufeeq Umar, Abdur-Razzaq, Shahid Nazir, Shabbir Ahmed and Humayun Farhat is listed as one of the teams.

APL deemed 'Unauthorized' by ICC

Cricket administrators reached by DreamCricket.com said that they had neither been formally approached nor had approved the event.

ICC issued a memo in which it noted that members are "precluded from releasing their players to play in this event until such time as ICC confirms that the event has been approved."

According to UK's Telegraph newspaper, David Collier, chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board, last week told counties to warn players against signing up to the American Premier League.

Mr. Mir appears to be unfazed and plans to go ahead with the tournament.

Tickets selling fast

The APL website suggests that the tickets, priced between $50 to $25,000 are selling fast.

Click here for details.