Kapil Dev sacked as NCA chairman

From HNN Mumbai Bureau

Taking a tough stand, the BCCI on Tuesday sacked Kapil Dev as chairman of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for aligning with the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) and also barred the defecting players from playing in international and domestic tournaments.The decision to terminate the services of Kapil Dev, who heads the ICL executive board, was taken at the BCCI's special general body meeting here.

NCA vice-chairman Ajay Shirke has been appointed as acting chairman and a new appointment for the post will be made at the annual general meeting on September 28, board sources said.The sources said that Kapil Dev's dismissal would come into effect immediately and all the players who have aligned with ICL would be banned from playing for the country or for the states.

The BCCI's stringent measures came a day after the ICL announced its initial list of 51 players, which has West Indies batting great Brian Lara, former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq and three of his teammates -- Mohd Yousuf, Imran Farhat and Abdul Razzaq -- as the star attractions.South African cricketers Lance Klusener and Nicky Boje were among the seven overseas recruits for the multi-million dollar league, funded by media baron Subhash Chandra.

Kapil Dev's sacking was very much on the cards after the BCCI made it clear that players aligning with the breakaway league would not take part in BCCI activities.Kapil's term as NCA chairman was to end in September this year and the BCCI will now have to start the process for looking for a replacement for its Bangalore-based academy.

The sources said the BCCI proposal to amend the constitution for appointing a president-elect has been approved by the special meeting. The sources also said that paid selectors would be appointed from September next year.