T10 League chairman Shaji Ul-Mulk has confirmed he held discussions with England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) CEO Tom Harrison but denied reports that they are looking into hosting their own version of the competition in the near future.

On Sunday, ESPNCricinfo reported that the ECB are considering introducing 10-over cricket to their domestic game following the success of last year’s inaugural T10 League in the UAE.

But although Ul-Mulk confirmed he did meet Harrison, he was adamant that England have no plans to stage their own T10 competition in the ‘near future’.

“The report is not really true,” he told Sport360 after the T10 Mini Draft on Monday night. “In a sense, yes, I did meet Tom Harrison a few months back and we explored the possibility of bringing T10 (to England) and he was pretty supportive of the format. But then he also informed us that he’s not looking at holding T10 in the near future. So I was a bit surprised myself with the story.”

He added: “The format is popular all around the world so it’s not only the English cricket board (that are interested), there are many full member cricketing bodies that are talking to us about having T10 in their own countries.

“Yes, we are encouraged that ECB have talked about it but I’m not sure about their level of source. I wouldn’t give too much significance to that report.”

England limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan and Alex Hales were among the stars to feature in the inaugural edition last year in the UAE and more English stars are set to play in the expanded second edition in November.

England opening batsman Jason Roy and compatriot Sam Billings were picked by Bengal Tigers in the Mini Draft, while all-rounder David Willey and Liam Plunkett were selected by Pakhtoons and Punjabi Legends respectively in Monday’s ceremony.

Team owners will be able to complete their squads when the main draft is held and Ul-Mulk is convinced there will be more English players available for the expanded tournament.

“Definitely there will be,” he said. “We are holding the league when the England T20 and ODI squad players would be available. We have Eoin Morgan, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett and many others and I do expect at least six to eight players minimum to be in the squads.”