The International Cricket Council is proposing a significant expansion of its powers over T20 franchise leagues, with recommendations set to be discussed by chief executives and board heads at a quarterly ICC meeting in Bali this weekend.
A review group formed in July has recommended stricter enforcement of overseas-player caps, greater ICC authority to review or audit sanctions granted by Full Members, restrictions on betting-company sponsorship, mandatory use of the ICC’s anti-corruption unit or an approved equivalent, and a fee for league sanctioning.
The proposals could hit the UAE’s ILT20 and Major League Cricket in the United States hardest.
Both leagues rely heavily on overseas players and were given exemptions when the ICC last set capping limits in 2023.
ILT20 currently allows up to nine overseas players in an XI, while MLC permits six. A cap of four overseas players per XI could undermine their commercial viability and reduce opportunities for players.
The review group, headed by BCB president Tamim Iqbal and including ECB chief Richard Gould, Cricket Australia’s Todd Greenberg and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, said external legal advice confirmed members would have no good legal basis to challenge the changes.
One league official called the proposals “very concerning” and questioned whether his league could function under such a cap, saying leagues had previously been assured they were protected by a grandfather clause.
The recommendations reflect growing concern over corruption, transient ownership and unpaid players in franchise cricket.
The ICC also wants the ability to step in if a Full Member fails to meet sanctioning obligations or if serious integrity concerns arise.
Further discussion points include standardising solidarity payments to member boards, clarifying the status of legends leagues and possibly limiting the number of leagues a member can host. (CMC)
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