No plans to reduce overseas players in ILT20

[ILT20]

There are no plans to reduce the number of overseas players allowed in a team in the ILT20, says the franchise league's chief executive David White.

T20 leagues which allow a high number of overseas players in each team - such as Major League Cricket or the ILT20 which currently allows up to nine non-local players - have been criticised for draining talent from elsewhere.

Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith, the commissioner of South Africa's SA20, said such leagues are "not good for the game".

The International Cricket Council brought in regulations in 2023 which meant all new franchise leagues must cap the number of overseas players allowed at four in order to be sanctioned, but the rules did not cover leagues already in existence such as the ILT20 in the UAE.

It was reported at the time leagues would have to conform in a reasonable time but no such requirements have been placed on leagues.

White told BBC Sport while he hoped the number of local players who feature in the league would increase as domestic structures improve, there would be no change to the hard rule on the number of overseas players.

"We want to develop cricket in the region and help develop cricket around the world," White said.

"Currently the rules are very clear. Nine overseas players and that won't change."

A host of overseas players, including many from England like Sam Curran, Jonny Bairstow and Tom Banton, played in last winter's ILT20.

[BBC]