No Problem for Sri Lankan Players to Play in Indian Cricket League (ICL)
Five Sri Lankan cricketers and an umpire, who signed up for Indian Cricket League (ICL) last season, have received permission to take part in domestic cricket in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has recently decided to allow these cricketers and the umpire to participate in Sri Lanka’s domestic tournaments, due to start from next month. The five cricketers are Marvan Atapattu, Russel Arnold, Upul Chandana, Avishka Gunawardene and Saman Jayantha, and the umpire is Ranmore Martinesz. However, the ban on their international appearance will be sustained.
The news of lifting domestic ban on ICL players came just two days after Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had banned 13 cricketers for ten years from domestic as well as international cricket. Indian Cricket League (ICL) has been happy with the decision taken by SLC. Himanshu Mody, the business head of ICL, termed this move a “step in the right direction.” He thinks that this decision will open up way for Sri Lankan cricketers to play for ICL as well as for their country. Indian Cricket Board, BCCI, is not happy at all and they hinted that they would go to ICC on this regard.
Thirteen Bangladeshi cricketers including Habibul Bashar, former captain of Bangladesh team, has recently joined ICL and will represent “Dhaka Warriors” in the tournament. The recent move by Sri Lanka Cricket seems to create a far-reaching effect on the ICL-IPL battle. Now, ICL players from other countries can call for the same treatment from their respective boards. Another thing needed to consider here is that International Cricket Council (ICC) has no problem with any cricket governing board allowing its ICL players to play in domestic cricket as well as international cricket. Now, if this issue is taken to the court by any player or any body else, then the question will come whether any cricket board has the justification to restrict any player from earning money through his legal profession. Sri Lanka Cricket’s decision seems to pave the way for the ICL players from other countries like Pakistan, South Africa or England to seek permission from their respective cricket boards to play domestic cricket in their countries.
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