ICC slams current players' wish to play in upcoming Masters Champions League

Dubai: With current players from three full member nations seeking no objection certificates to participate in the upcoming Masters Champions League (MCL), the ICC has warned the boards against entertaining such demands and called it "unacceptable".

At least three Full Member boards have written to the ICC expressing concern over their current players asking for no objection certificates to participate in league, which was approved as a Twenty20 event meant strictly for retired players.

"Our decision not to issue a Disapproved Notice was based on the application from MCL which clearly stated that it was an event for retired players only," ICC senior operations manager Clive Hitchcock wrote in an e-mail, according to 'ESPNcricinfo'.

He further stated, "Emirates Cricket Board, who sanctioned the event, did so on the basis of their

negotiations with MCL for a retired players event.

Consequently, the actions of those involved with the MCL in seeking current player participation in the event is unacceptable to us."

It is understood that the three members are Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Cricket South Africa (CSA), and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

As per the email, Hitchcock asked the three full members to contact him immediately if they received a request from a current or non-retired player for an NOC to play in the MCL. Hitchcock pointed out that the affected boards have highlighted to the ICC that the MCL has been signing up

players who are yet to retire, thereby weakening their domestic cricket.

"Within the past week we have received notification from two Full Members that its current players have just been approached to play in the event, by requesting those players to seek NOCs from their respective Board," Hitchcock said.