Lucknow, Read: Controversy has arisen in the cricket world regarding the organization of Lucknow Premier League. There have been allegations of neglecting the local and young players of the city in this league organized by the Cricket Association Lucknow (CAL).

Lucknow Cricket Development Society President Haider Raza alleged that CAL showed big dreams to the youth in the name of Lucknow Premier League, but they were treated unfairly in the selection process. He told that Rs 1000 was taken per player in the name of registration in the trial organized for the selection of players, but the names of many players who participated in the trial and were said to be selected did not appear in the auction process. The Society President further said that leagues are being organized by local cricket associations in many districts of Uttar Pradesh, but players from Lucknow are not given a chance in the leagues of other districts. On the contrary, players from outside cities are being included in the Lucknow Premier League, which is a direct injustice to the capital players.

He also clarified that it is being argued that the players from outside are registered with some club in Lucknow, hence they were given a chance to play. But he raised the question that what is the point in feeding the players who are still representing their native districts and do not participate in external competitions on behalf of Lucknow by paying them through franchises in the Lucknow league. Lucknow Cricket Development Society has demanded that the young players of the city placed in the C-grade category in the auction should be given the opportunity to play in the Lucknow Premier League on priority basis, so that the local talent can get a proper platform to move forward.