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The International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering implementing new regulations to address the influence of franchise T20 tournaments on international cricket. These proposed rules aim to limit the number of overseas players in a team’s starting XI and require leagues to pay a fee to the respective national boards for each signed player.
Why ICC is implementing the new rule?
The restriction on overseas players in the playing XI poses a challenge for recently established leagues such as ILT20 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the upcoming Major League Cricket (MLC) in Texas, USA. ILT20 currently allows up to nine overseas players in the starting XI, while MLC permits six foreigners in each franchise’s lineup.
This change may impact players’ ability to sign multi-franchise contracts, as there will be fewer available spots for them. However, the restriction will only apply to players from the 12 full-time member nations, potentially creating opportunities for cricketers from associate nations to gain recognition through these leagues.
In addition, the ICC is considering a mandatory requirement for teams to allocate 10 percent of player salaries to their national boards. This measure ensures that cricketing associations have an additional source of revenue as the value of franchise leagues continues to rise.
Any tournament failing to comply with these regulations will be classified as unsanctioned, resulting in players’ ineligibility for international representation and exclusion from existing franchise cricket events.
These proposed rules reflect the ICC’s efforts to strike a balance between the growth of franchise T20 leagues and the preservation of international cricket. By limiting the number of overseas players and introducing financial contributions to national boards, the ICC aims to maintain the integrity and competitiveness of international cricket while allowing room for the development of domestic leagues.
While these regulations may encounter resistance and challenges from leagues and players, they represent an important step in shaping the future landscape of cricket and ensuring its sustainable growth at both the national and global levels.
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