The Indian Premier League, once again an eight-team affair, "is unlikely to be shifted out of the country next year despite the looming threat of the tournament clashing with the country's general elections once again," according to K. Shrinivas Rao of the TIMES OF INDIA. The IPL governing council "is yet to meet over the issue that has already come under focus considering the window during which it is played every year." Taking cue from the developments that took place in '09, leading to the shift of IPL to South Africa, "there was talk yet again this time that the tournament would take place in the United Arab Emirates or Bangladesh or the South East Asian countries where cricket is an emerging sport." Those in the know of things suggested that it was "most unlikely" that the tournament would be moved outside India this time. An official said, "Firstly, it's going to be a very crunched tournament because there'll be no more than 60 matches comprising eight teams." Secondly, "the state of the economy at this point of time does not encourage the overseas shifting of the tournament." The official added, "Whether South Africa or UAE, one has to consider that franchises will also be majorly affected in terms of finances" (TIMES OF INDIA, 10/30). The BBC reported former England captain Andrew Flintoff is calling for the decision review system "to be scrapped." Flintoff "wants a return to the days when decisions rested solely with the on-field umpires." Flintoff: "I don't think it's needed, just let the umpire do it. It's one of the few games left where the umpire's decision is final" (BBC, 10/30).The AFP reported former Test legends Abdul Qadir and Zaheer Abbas "have expressed interest in the job of Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, after a court ordered elections for the post be held next month." The cricket administration in Pakistan "has been rocked by months of wrangling between the courts and the PCB after then-chairman Zaka Ashraf was thrown out in May over his 'dubious' election." Former cricketers Zaheer Abbas, Abdul Qadir and Mohsin Khan "have all said they are ready to run" (AFP, 10/30).
