The International Cricket Council (ICC) is preparing to increase its control over T20 franchise leagues worldwide. A review committee has made several major recommendations, including limiting the number of overseas players in the playing XI and banning sponsorships from betting companies.
ICC Plans Tougher Regulations for T20 Leagues, ILT20 and MLC in Focus
T20 franchise leagues, which are rapidly gaining popularity across the globe, may face mounting challenges in the near future. The ICC is preparing to tighten its oversight of leagues that have emerged following the model of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The proposed regulations could reshape several aspects of these competitions, including foreign player limits, sponsorship arrangements and anti-corruption monitoring.
It is believed that these proposals could have the biggest impact on the UAE's International League T20 (ILT20) and the United States' Major League Cricket (MLC).
The ICC's Franchise League Review Committee has prepared several significant recommendations. During the ICC's quarterly meeting in Bali, the heads and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of various cricket boards will discuss these proposals. If approved, they could bring substantial changes to the existing framework governing franchise leagues worldwide.
ICC May Limit Overseas Players in T20 League Playing XIs
One of the most significant recommendations concerns limiting the number of overseas players in the playing XI. Under the current rules, ILT20 teams can field up to nine overseas players in their playing XI, with at least one required to come from an Associate Member nation.
Meanwhile, in the United States' Major League Cricket, teams are permitted to include a maximum of six overseas players in their playing XI.
In 2023, the ICC granted exemptions to both leagues regarding overseas player limits. However, the review committee now wants these competitions to follow the regulations concerning foreign players. If the overseas player limit is reduced to just four players per playing XI, it could create a major challenge for ILT20 and MLC.
The business models of both leagues rely heavily on international players. Therefore, reducing the number of overseas players could affect franchise team-building strategies, player recruitment and commercial prospects.
Teams may have to depend more on domestic players from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States. However, this change could also create more opportunities for local cricketers to establish themselves in professional franchise cricket.
ICC Plans Crackdown on Betting Company Sponsorships
The ICC's proposed regulations extend beyond overseas player restrictions. The recommendations also include a ban on sponsorships from betting companies and their associated entities.
Particular attention will be given to companies that promote betting activities under the guise of other brands, especially in countries where betting is illegal.
Furthermore, the ICC may make the involvement of its Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), or an agency recognised by it, mandatory as a condition for approving franchise leagues.
There is also a proposal to introduce an approval fee for franchise leagues, which could become another requirement for competitions seeking ICC recognition.
Tamim Iqbal Leads ICC Franchise League Review Committee
The ICC group responsible for reviewing franchise-based leagues is led by Tamim Iqbal, former Bangladesh opening batter and current Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president.
The committee also includes several prominent cricket administrators:
- Tamim Iqbal: Former Bangladesh cricketer and BCB president.
- Richard Gould: CEO of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
- Todd Greenberg: CEO of Cricket Australia.
- Devajit Saikia: Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, these recommendations aim to improve transparency, accountability and governance in franchise cricket.
The review committee also expects cricket boards of Full Member nations to conduct detailed assessments before approving any franchise league. These evaluations would cover funding sources, player payment structures and anti-corruption arrangements.
How Could the New ICC Rules Affect ILT20 and MLC?
If the ICC approves these recommendations, ILT20 and Major League Cricket could face significant changes to their existing operating models. A reduction in overseas player limits could force franchises to rethink their squad-building strategies, while restrictions on betting-related sponsorships could affect their commercial partnerships.
However, the proposed changes could also strengthen domestic cricket by providing more opportunities to local players. The final impact will depend on the regulations approved by the ICC and how they are implemented across different franchise leagues.
For now, these recommendations remain proposals, and their implementation will depend on the ICC's final decision.
