Stanford shuns Twenty-20 challenge, offers a new deal to ECB

London, Feb.12 (ANI): The worldwide economic slowdown has taken its toll on the much publicised Stanford Twenty20 Challenge, as Sir Allen Stanford has shelved plans for going ahead with the 20 million dollar cricket extravaganza.

According to The Telegraph, Stanford has decided to discontinue his existing five-year 100 million dollar contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board , thus putting the ulti-million dollar single T-20 match into sports history.

The scrapping of the T-20 jackpot match does not mean that Stanford will disassociate himself from the game, as he has reportedly offered a new three-year deal to the ECB for an annual quadrangular tournament at Lord's featuring his Stanford Superstars XI.

Reports suggested that it was not only the slowdown which compelled Stanford to shun the challenge, but a series of legal battles following the last year's controversial game had rustrated him. Heavy personal criticism by the British media also angered Stanford.

Lack of interest shown by American broadcasters also dashed his hopes of making a cut into the US market through his star-studded team. (ANI)