ICC takes firm line on IPL

The ICC has outlined its stance and agreed an official policy on the Indian Premier League Twenty20 competition, which affects almost all of its full member countries.

The board stressed that the concept of nation-versus-nation cricket was the lifeblood of its members and this must always be given the highest possible priority.

In order to maintain that position, the ICC board and the Board of Control for Cricket in India agreed that the BCCI, as the owner of the IPL, would sign a standard-form contract with all of the ICC members reflecting the following principles:

• Each ICC member will have an unfettered right in its absolute discretion to lodge an objection to a player from its country playing in the IPL.

• This objection can be lodged up to two years after that player’s retirement.

• All such objections will be respected by the IPL and its various franchises and the player in question will not be selected to play.

• Bilateral commitments of members will take precedence over IPL fixtures.

• The IPL will introduce a code of conduct, an anti-corruption code and an anti-doping code that comply with ICC regulations.

However, no request has been made by the IPL or BCCI to adjust the ICC Future Tours Programme to accommodate IPL matches.

The ICC will monitor IPL’s progress over the next few years and work with the BCCI to ensure that it works in harmony with international cricket.