Chaos and crisis: Pro10 League postponed in Malaysia as players left stranded

The Pro10 in Malaysia has been postponed indefinitely following financial issues, joining an infamous list of T10 competitions to unravel into off-field scandal and chaos before a ball is bowled.

Action on the field was supposed to begin on Friday (30 January) though the tournament is doubtful to kick off at all, facing serious allegations of mismanagement, financial disputes and complete organisational breakdown, with unpaid players forced to pay for their own travel.

According to one player at the tournament, reimbursement for his outlaid costs is not expected, despite promises from the organisation.

 

In several corroborated reports, players were also blindsided upon checking into accommodation and met with blank looks in Kuala Lumpur, with reservations not covered by the league.

Dodging calls, tournament owners are yet to respond to the numerous failures publicly.

Initially a four-team tournament, the late withdrawal of several players who saw the writing on the wall shrunk the tournament to three teams.

The tournament, which was originally to take place in Thailand, also had future plans to hold subsequent events in Eastern Europe.

Malaysia Cricket Association, who are only playing a minor role in the competition as venue operator among other minor support, provided a statement on their side.

The tournament had attracted a number of notable players with Full Member international experience, from the likes of Andre Russell, Wayne Parnell, Sam Billings and Dawid Malan, to Associate standouts Mark Watt and Matthew Cross.

It’s understood Watt, Cross and a number of Scots at the tournament have already left as they prepare for the eleventh-hour T20 World Cup campaign in the subcontinent, replacing Bangladesh at the tournament.

 

With top talent displaced, the unfolding situation again raises serious questions around the viability and legitimacy of T10 leagues, where accountability, financial safeguards, and player welfare are repeatedly lacking.

It’s not the only negative T10 story to break this week, with USA’s Aaron Jones facing corruption charges from the ICC following conduct at the Barbados Bim10 in December 2023 and January 2024.

More to follow…

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