Sri Lanka lifts domestic ban on ICL players

Sri Lanka lifted the domestic ban Friday on cricketers who have signed up with the unsanctioned Indian Cricket League.

Shane Fernando, the media manager for Sri Lanka Cricket said administrators discussed an appeal by former national players who are part of the ICL and decided to lift the ban, allowing them to play for local clubs.

Former national captain Marvan Atapattu, batsmen Russel Arnold and Avishka Gunawardena plus leg spin bowler Upul Chandana are the Sri Lankan players in the ICL.

However they will not be able to play for the national team unless the International Cricket Council recognizes the league. The ICC as yet has not approved the ICL, a Twenty20 tournament that runs in competition with the officially approved Indian Premier League.

The announcement came just two days after the Bangladesh Cricket Board slapped a 10-year ban from all forms of cricket on 13 players including former national captain Habibul Bashar for signing with the ICL.