The Champions League T20 will be re-scheduled for early 2009 following the terrorist attacks which rocked Mumbai.
<img border="0" src="http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj16/desitvforum/CL20/142435_33_preview.jpg" width="260" height="195" align="right"><p align="justify" style="line-height: 150%">According to tournament chairman Lalit Modi, the eight-team event will be rearranged and remain in India.
Middlesex, England's reigning Twenty20 champions, are among the teams taking part in the multi-million pound extravaganza and aborted their flight to the subcontinent this morning - they were due to stay in one of the hotels besieged by gunmen last night.
However, Modi told Sky Sports News: "All the teams wanted to come and start as scheduled at an alternative venue but the Board of Control for Cricket in India could not reschedule at such a short time as the games were due to start next Wednesday.
"The inaugural year will be postponed for a few months but will still be played in India.
"They (the participating teams) were all ready to come today so I don't think they will have a problem coming back."
The decision to postpone was taken by the tournament's governing council after they held discussions with the BCCI, and its fellow stakeholders Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa.
"It was agreed that in the best interests of all concerned, the inaugural edition of the Champions League 2020 should be postponed," said Modi.
"We very strongly condemn this dastardly and heinous criminal act of a few which has resulted in the loss of precious lives and injury to hundreds.
"We offer our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and we are with them in their hour of grief."
More than 100 people were killed in the attacks, in which an unspecified number of others were taken hostage, with Britons and Americans said to be specific targets.
Middlesex captain Shaun Udal said: "It's probably a sensible decision to postpone it for now. I don't see any point carrying on with the tournament in such circumstances.
"The atrocities are terrible and you feel for everyone involved. It was surreal watching the pictures last night.
"I know the hotel well, England were based there. It could have been us if we had gone 24 hours earlier. We would have been right in the thick of it. Awful, awful stuff that has been going on.
"There was talk of switching venues but I think the correct decision has been made."
Teams from five countries - England, Australia, South Africa, Pakistan and India - were due to take part in the week-long tournament from December 3-10.
Nashua Titans and Nashua Dolphins were representing South Africa while Graeme Smith and Makhaya Ntini were due to play for Indian Premier League franchises Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings respectively.
Tony Irish, chief executive of the South African Cricketers' Association, commented: "It is disappointing from a player's point of view because the players were looking forward to testing their abilities against the best players from domestic teams of other countries.
"It is a massive blow to everyone financially, Cricket South Africa, the franchises and the players, but it is the correct decision to make in this situation, because the safety and security of the teams and players is the most important factor."
CSA chief executive Gerald Majola added: "It is a very sad day not just for cricket but for everybody affected by what has occurred in Mumbai.
"It is regrettable that the governing council of the Champions League had to take this decision but they had no choice in the circumstances. The safety of the players is of paramount importance at all times.
"It obviously has negative financial connotations for everybody involved and it is a huge disappointment for the franchise players from the Nashua Dolphins and the Nashua Titans who were looking forward to the opportunity of competing on a bigger stage."
The Champions League was originally scheduled to take place from September 29-October 8 but was moved to December due to its close proximity to the Champions Trophy, an event which was also later postponed.</p>
CLT20 to be re-scheduled
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