CHENNAI, June 9 (UNI): International Cricket Council (ICC) acting President Ray Mali, who strongly denied any groupism among the member nations, today said the Twenty20 format of cricket was here to stay.
"The concept will take off well in developing cricket nations", he said addressing a press conference here.
Mali who stepped down as Cricket South Africa (CSA) President after said one of ICC's present tasks on hand would be working for the first Twenty20 world cup in South Africa and the Under-19 world cup in Malaysia in February next year.
"In South Africa, preparations are in full swing for the Twenty20 world cup", he said.
The Twenty20 format was immensly popular in South Africa.
"We believe it will stimulate interest in cricket.
Back home in South Africa there was a time when grandpas, grandmas would go as a family to watch cricket matches along with their grandson.
The Twenty20 has brought back this interest in the game", he said.
"Now the Youth are so keen on it", Mali pointed out in strong defence of the concept.
Asked about Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene appealing to the ICC to go slow on promotion of Twenty20 at the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) seminar here yesterday, he said " I respect his views.
But he must first give this format a try in his country and then formulate a view."