ECB Bans Players from Participating in PSL and Other Franchise Leagues During Domestic Summer, but IPL Exempt
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has made a significant move, reportedly prohibiting its players from participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and other franchise leagues that overlap with England’s domestic summer season. This bold decision, aimed at preserving the integrity of domestic cricket, will affect players who have historically been drawn to lucrative international leagues. However, in a notable exception, the world’s most lucrative cricket competition, the Indian Premier League (IPL), remains exempt from this ban.
The ECB’s decision comes in response to growing concerns over top English players prioritizing profitable franchise opportunities over their red-ball careers. While the ECB maintains that this move will bolster the quality of domestic cricket, the decision could have a significant impact on English cricket, particularly as players face a dilemma between lucrative leagues and their domestic commitments.
Reports suggest that unless a player holds a solely white-ball contract, the ECB intends to limit the number of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) granted for participation in overseas franchise leagues that overlap with England’s domestic cricket calendar. This will include the T20 Blast and the Hundred, which are expected to clash with several major competitions such as the United States’ Major League Cricket, Sri Lanka’s Premier League, and the Caribbean Premier League, among others.
Moreover, players will be banned from participating in leagues with suspected corruption and from “double-dipping,” meaning they cannot join another league after being eliminated from one that is running concurrently.
For players, the situation has become more challenging. In the past, top players like Jason Roy and Alex Hales chose to prioritize T20 leagues like the Caribbean Premier League and Major League Cricket over their domestic commitments. The ECB’s new policy now forces players to make a tough choice between international franchise leagues and their duties in England’s domestic competitions.
ECB CEO Richard Gould explained the rationale behind the policy: “We need to protect the integrity of our sport and the strength of our competitions in England and Wales as well. This policy gives clarity to players and professional counties around our approach to issuing No Objection Certificates. It will enable us to strike the right balance between supporting players who want to take up opportunities to earn and gain experience, while also protecting the integrity of cricket globally.”
The move is set to reshape how English cricketers navigate their careers, balancing the lure of global T20 leagues with their obligations to domestic cricket and the national team.
