The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) have come out to deny claims that it has officially sanctioned or approved the new 90-Ninety Bash tournament proposed to start in Sharjah from 2020.

The new 90-ball format was announced earlier this week by UAE-based Century Events and Sports FZC with the official press release stating that the new tournament will be held under the auspices of the ECB.

However, the ECB has refuted the claims in an official statement released on Thursday.

“It has come to the attention of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) that a new tournament is proposed for play in 2020,” the statement read.

“ECB confirms they have not sanctioned nor approved any new tournaments for the 2019/2020 season at this time.”

The latest 90-ball format is the brainchild of Abdul Rahman Bukhatir (chairman of the Bukhatir Group), Salman Iqbal (founder and president of ARY Digital Network and owner of Pakistan Super League franchise Karachi Kings) and Imran Chaudhry (managing director of the Cinergie Group of companies).

“The proposed 90-Ninety format will be shorter than Twenty20, with the aim of making every contest sharp, edgy and action-packed, while retaining the importance of cricket skills at the core of its success,” the tournament’s official press release had stated.