The Euro T20 Slam, which was due to feature former Carlisle Cricket Club sub-professional George Munsey and Whitehaven professional Safyaan Sharif, is to be postponed for a year.

With the matches set to be played in Edinburgh, Amsterdam and Dublin, the competition was due to begin on August 30, playing host to some of the best players in the world.

But the organisers have pushed the launch date of the inaugural edition of the event back and say they need the “necessary breathing space” to launch the competition and want to start it in 2020.

England one-day captain Eoin Morgan, Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir, South African Dale Steyn and Ravi Bopara were among those set to be involved.

A statement from organisers on Twitter last night read: “Before we begin, we would like to thank you for the support and commitment shown towards our dream project, the Euro T20 Slam.

"It is with a heavy heart that the inaugural edition of the Euro T20 Slam has been pushed [back] to a further date due to unforeseen circumstances.

"This has not been an easy decision to make so close to the start of the tournament, but a few circumstances have, ultimately, led us to take this collective call with the support of all the member boards.

"A detailed press release will follow, however, we are writing this to avoid any speculation and misguided communication that you may or may not have heard.

"Rest assured, the league has just been pushed [back] to a later date in 2020 and has not been cancelled. I would like to reiterate this to you."

The statement added: "The decision was taken with the unanimous consent of the ET20s family, including the cricket boards of Ireland, Scotland and The Netherlands.

"We, as promoters, are extremely confident that this is the most appropriate move, and this gives us time to come back stronger."

Both Munsey and Sharif had been selected to represent the Glasgow Giants.

Munsey played for Carlisle in their final two matches of last campaign, scoring 80 runs. Sharif, meanwhile, has scored 353 runs for Whitehaven this season and taken 23 wickets at an average of 21.09.

Former India captain and coach Anil Kumble is one of the board members on the tournament’s advisory committee.