The International Cricket Council (ICC) has moved to create a committee tasked with examining how the rapid rise of franchise cricket can be managed alongside international cricket, without disrupting the existing annual calendar. The decision comes as global T20 leagues continue to claim more time from traditional bilateral and international fixtures.
Franchise competitions have become a major presence across the sport’s yearly schedule. The IPL alone runs for roughly two months each season, while other tournaments—such as SA20, ILT20, BBL, BPL, SLPL, The Hundred, and the CPL—keep expanding in reach and player participation. In addition, the European T20 Premier League is set to launch this year, offering yet another pathway for players seeking to build long-term careers through franchise cricket rather than international matches.
After its board meeting on Sunday, the ICC said it would review ways franchise leagues could be aligned with international commitments. In its statement, the ICC noted that the board voiced concern over the increasing scale of franchise cricket and voted to establish a committee to study how franchise competitions can fit in with the international schedule within the current framework.
The ICC’s concern has become especially visible for certain cricketing nations, with the Caribbean highlighted as one area where some top players have placed franchise cricket ahead of international duties. One recent case involved Nicholas Pooran, who stepped away from international cricket before turning 30. South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen has also reduced his international involvement while continuing to appear in franchise leagues across different countries.
Sunil Narine, the former West Indies spinner, is another example of a player who largely concentrated on franchise cricket throughout his career, with only infrequent returns to international cricket.
As leagues multiply, the ICC said the situation also raises questions for its Future Tours Programme (FTP), which governs bilateral international cricket. With too many competing events vying for space, it could become harder for boards to arrange series and to secure the availability of leading players for international windows.
Over time, the ICC has considered a range of potential solutions through various committees. Among the ideas discussed are limits on how many franchise leagues a player can take part in during a season, while still ensuring that national-team commitments remain the priority.
