A year after introducing stricter guidelines for the sanctioning of T20 and T10 leagues globally, the ICC has taken a significant step by banning the USA’s National Cricket League (NCL) for violating playing eleven rules. In a letter sent to USA Cricket (USAC), which was obtained by Cricbuzz, the ICC announced its decision not to sanction the league for future editions.
The primary issue was the league’s failure to comply with the playing eleven regulations, which require the fielding of at least seven USAC-affiliated or associate players. The NCL was also found to have breached sanction regulations that were known to its authorities prior to the event.
The NCL aimed to generate interest in American cricket by recruiting high-profile figures like Wasim Akram and Vivian Richards as ambassadors and attracting Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar to its ownership group. However, despite the star power, operational challenges plagued the league from the start.
The ICC’s letter also hinted at problems both “on and off the pitch.” In addition to the playing eleven violations, where 6-7 foreign players were fielded on multiple occasions, the substandard quality of the venue was highlighted, with players like Wahab Riaz and Tymal Mills being forced to bowl spin to avoid injury to batsmen.
Cricbuzz also reported concerns about the NCL’s management of foreign players and possible violations of U.S. immigration laws. Typically, it costs around USD 200,000 to sponsor sports category visas for an American cricket tournament with six teams, but not all players entered the U.S. on valid sports visas for the tournament. With no clear revenue model to sustain its operations, it appears the NCL may have skipped proper visa filings as a cost-cutting measure.
The USA has become a hotspot for emerging T20 and T10 leagues, with significant financial backing from the South Asian diaspora. With nearly 60 first-class and international cricketers in the U.S. setup, the idea of a fast-track league has gained momentum.
According to Cricbuzz, the USA now has the highest number of T20/T10 league sanctioning applications with the ICC, prompting an official to confirm that the governing body is considering a complete overhaul of its sanctioning process.
USAC appears to have taken note of the ICC’s concerns, as it has decided not to sanction the US Open T20, a long-standing weekend tournament. While the details of the disapproval remain unclear, it is likely part of the larger initiative by the ICC to revamp the standards for sanctioning leagues globally.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
