Karachi: The Indian Cricket League on Monday got a shot in the arm from the Pakistan Cricket Board which called for a merger between the rebel league and the BCCI-backed Indian Premier League.

PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt, in his first press conference in Lahore, spoke out in favour of finding a quick settlement to the standoff between ICL and IPL.

Butt said the Indian Cricket Board had been told to hold talks with the ICL officials because the ICC had been informed by its lawyers that if the ICL decided to sue the governing body, it could find itself in trouble.

"There is no confidentiality about this. But the Indian board has been told to report back to the ICC board in 21 days on what progress they have made in their talks with the ICL," he said.

Butt also made it clear that in his view he didn't see much difference between the two Twenty20 leagues.

"Our interest is to consider the youngsters who are playing in it (ICL). While you are saying one can play in one league and not in the otherfor us they are two leagueseither ban both, but why is it that you are banning the ICL and not the other," he said.

The PCB Chairman said he had even spoken about his views on the ICL with the BCCI officials.

The ICC does not recognise the ICL, being bankrolled by one of India 's largest listed firms Essel Group, as it is not supported by the BCCI.

The ICL, despite its unofficial status, has signed on some of the leading players of the world including 18 from Pakistan and have applied for registration with the ICC.

The BCCI representatives held a meeting with the ICL recently on the directives of the ICC but the first round of talks failed.

Butt said his predecessors in the PCB had their views on the ICL and he had his own.

"I don't know which one is correct but I do want to see a solution being found for the players sake," he stated.

He said he also held discussions with former Pakistan captain and one of the key ICL figures, Inzamam-ul-Haq on the issue before the ICC meeting.

"I told Inzamam this issue is already being discussed by the ICC and we will support their recognition if others also do so. I said I have my views and I have discussed my views with India ... and I don't know what your views are ... He told me about his stance... I said to a certain extent we have an interest will definitely support it," Butt said.