NEW DELHI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken significant action against the USA’s National Cricket League (NCL) just one year after implementing stricter guidelines for T20 and T10 leagues globally. The ICC has decided not to sanction future editions of the league.
This decision was communicated to USA Cricket (USAC), according to a report by Cricbuzz. The letter cited NCL’s failure to comply with player composition rules as the primary reason.
The NCL was required to field seven USAC-affiliated or associate players. The league also violated sanction regulations, which were known to NCL officials before the event.
The NCL had attempted to generate excitement by appointing high-profile ambassadors like Wasim Akram and Vivian Richards. Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar were also part of the league’s ownership group. Despite the presence of these prominent figures, the league suffered from operational issues from the start.
The ICC letter also alluded to problems with the NCL “on and off the pitch.”
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Besides not adhering to the player composition rules, with six or seven foreign players fielded in multiple instances, the quality of the pop-up venue’s pitches was also a concern. Bowlers like Wahab Riaz and Tymal Mills were forced to bowl spin to prevent injuries to batsmen.
A previous report by Cricbuzz highlighted concerns regarding the league’s handling of foreign players and possible violations of U.S. immigration laws.
Sponsoring sports visas for an American cricket tournament with approximately six teams typically costs around $200,000.
It was also learnt that not all players participating in the tournament entered the USA on valid sports visas, as per a Cricbuzz report earlier. This suggests cost-cutting measures were taken, especially given the lack of a clear revenue model.
The USA has become a popular location for new T20 and T10 leagues. This is partly due to the financial resources of the South Asian diaspora eager to invest in the sport. The presence of nearly 60 first-class and international cricketers in the American cricket scene further contributes to the idea of establishing quick leagues.
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A report also disclosed that the ICC receives the highest number of applications for T20/T10 league sanctions from the USA.
An ICC official revealed plans for a complete overhaul of the governing body’s sanctioning process in the future.
USAC appears to have taken the ICC’s warning about the NCL seriously. USAC has chosen not to sanction the US Open T20, a long-standing weekend tournament with a history of over 10 years. The exact reasons for the disapproval are unclear, but it may be part of the ICC’s broader effort to reset league sanctioning standards globally. This effort was hinted at by the ICC official.