The rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) will launch its 20s World Series 2008 event in Hyderabad from April 9 to 15.

ICL India, ICL Pakistan and ICL World will be the three teams vying in a tri-series competition comprising seven matches, with each team playing against each other twice, followed by the final.

''The level of cricket at the ICL is on an ascendancy mode. Throughout the Edelweiss 20s Challenge, we saw our boys come out with stand-out performances, which shaped the results of some high standard cricket matches," ICL Executive Board chairman Kapil Dev was quoted as saying to UNI.

''With the ICL World Series 2008, our promising domestic boys will face the toughest challenge of proving their cricketing credentials against two of the mightiest teams in the world," the former India World Cup winning captain, said.

"These Indian players will be selected after a thorough selection process by the Executive Board along with the selection committee, based on their growth as cricketers and respective individual performance.

''The final Indian squad will be selected after the Edelweiss 20s Challenge's second semi-final,'' he added.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan skipper Inzaman-ul Haq will lead the ICL Pakistan team while Chris Cairns, ex-New Zealand all-rounder, will captain ICL World.

Moin Khan will coach the Pakistan side and former England off-spinner John Emburey will coach the world team.

Steve Rixon, former Australian wicketkeeper, will coach ICL India.