ICC Lobbied as BCCI, ECB Refuse to Back Saudi T20 League - Reports 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have reportedly refused to back the Saudi T20 league. 

The two powerful boards have planned to refuse to grant No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to their players to participate in the proposed league. They are also working together to ensure that the International Cricket Council (ICC) does not endorse the tournament.

The ambitious project is part of Saudi Arabia’s strategy to diversify its sports portfolio and gain a foothold in cricket. Having already made headlines through substantial investments in football, boxing, Formula 1 and golf, Saudi Arabia is now setting its sights on cricket. 

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BCCI, ECB Push Back Against Saudi Arabia’s Entry in Cricket 

As reported by The Guardian, at the World Test Championship final held at Lord’s earlier this month, senior officials from the BCCI and ECB reportedly held talks where they mutually agreed to block the proposed Saudi league’s pathway to legitimacy. 

"During discussions at the World Test Championship final at Lord’s this month, the ECB and BCCI agreed to unite in opposing the new league. The boards agreed they would not issue ‘no objection certificates’ to their players to sign up for the new competition, as well as lobbying the International Cricket Council (ICC) to withhold their endorsement," the report read.

Several franchise leagues are already up and running around the world, the most famous being the Indian Premier League (IPL). ECB’s The Hundred will earn USD 700 million as they have sold 49 per cent of the eight franchises. Therefore, the idea of another tournament, one with deep pockets, has raised alarm bells. 

Interestingly, not every major board has taken a similar stance. Earlier this year, Cricket Australia (CA) showed a clear willingness to work with the Saudi authorities on launching the tournament. The Australians saw it as a potential commercial opportunity, particularly since their own Big Bash League (BBL) remains under the control of the board and state associations.

"Under plans that emerged in Australia this year, Saudi’s SRJ Sports Investments has pledged to inject USD 400m to set up the new league, which would have eight teams playing four tournaments in different locations each year in a set-up that has been compared to tennis’s Grand Slams," the report added.

While the ICC has yet to make an official statement regarding the league, endorsement from the governing body is critical for the tournament’s legitimacy. Without it, the league would remain unsanctioned and unattractive to top players bound by national contracts or concerned about their international careers.

What Is the Saudi T20 League? Format, Funding, and Vision Explained

For the unversed, Saudi Arabia has been exploring options to enter the cricketing landscape. Earlier this year in March, plans emerged for a T20 league backed by SRJ Sports Investments. 

The proposal reportedly includes a $400 million commitment. The league is expected to feature eight teams and will take place in four different global locations each year. The league's format has drawn comparisons with the Grand Slam model in tennis.

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