Brian Lara on Tuesday said that Indian Cricket League is an excellent platform for upcoming players and BCCI closing the door of national team for ICL players was unfortunate.
"I feel this (restraining players) is unfortunate. Individuals must be given options and doors should not be closed on them. For any cricketer the ultimate dream is to represent ones country," Lara said.
"Many of those playing in ICL have been on national squads earlier. However, I am optimistic that this is just an aberration and the Boards will allow players the option to play for their country," he said.
Lara, captain of Mumbai Champs, one of the six teams featuring in ICL's Twenty20 tournament, said youngsters have learnt a lot in the company of former international players.
"The confidence and motivation of some of the Indian players playing in this tournament is something to watch for. It is great to see these players learn valuable things here and I am sure four or five years from now they will be playing international cricket," 37-year-old Lara told reporters.
Besides Lara, former international stars like Marvan Atapattu, Chris Cairns, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Stuart Law and Craig Macmillan are captaining other teams taking part in the 17-day long tournament, finals of which will be played on Sunday.
Lara's Mumbai Champs were ousted as they lost four consecutive matches and the West Indian himself in poor touch.
{{/usCountry}}Lara's Mumbai Champs were ousted as they lost four consecutive matches and the West Indian himself in poor touch.
{{/usCountry}}"I feel I am still adapting to the Twenty20 cricket. It has been the first tournament and I hope things will not be the same next time," he said.