ICC bans National Cricket League USA

ICC Lays Down the Law: USA’s National Cricket League Feels the Heat

When the ICC laid out stricter rules for sanctioning T20 and T10 leagues last year, it wasn’t just for show—it meant business. And now, we’re seeing the first significant consequence of these tighter guidelines. The ICC has decided to put its foot down on the USA’s National Cricket League (NCL), citing a string of rule violations.

In a letter sent to USA Cricket (USAC) and obtained by Cricbuzz, the global cricketing body confirmed its decision to withhold future sanctions for the NCL. The core issue? The league failed to comply with playing XI requirements, a mandate calling for at least seven USAC-affiliated or associate players in the lineup. But that’s not all—there’s more to this story than just lineup mishaps, reports Live Cricket Score.

Star Power Isn’t Enough to Save the NCL

Let’s set the scene. The NCL pulled out all the stops to grab attention, recruiting cricketing legends like Wasim Akram and Vivian Richards as ambassadors. Even icons like Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar joined the ownership group, giving the league an air of credibility and star appeal.

But despite this glittering lineup, the operational cracks were hard to ignore. According to the ICC’s letter, the NCL struggled “on and off the pitch.” One glaring issue? The persistent violation of playing XI rules. On several occasions, teams fielded six or seven foreign players—blatantly disregarding the mandate.

And then there was the playing surface itself. Reports described the drop-in wickets at the league’s pop-up venue as subpar, so much so that bowlers like Wahab Riaz and Tymal Mills were forced to bowl spin to avoid endangering batsmen. Talk about a tough pitch—literally.

Immigration Woes: A Sticky Situation

Now, let’s talk logistics because things only get murkier here. Cricbuzz uncovered serious concerns about the NCL’s handling of foreign players and potential violations of U.S. immigration laws. Usually, it costs around $200,000 to sponsor the necessary sports visas for an American cricket tournament with multiple teams.

However, not all players reportedly entered the U.S. on valid sports visas. This wasn’t just an administrative hiccup—it seemed more like a cost-cutting tactic. Without a transparent revenue model to sustain operations, the league may have decided to skip filing proper visa paperwork altogether. And that, understandably, caught the ICC’s attention.

USA: A New Frontier for T20 and T10 Leagues

Here’s the thing: the U.S. has become a hotbed for cricket’s shortest formats. The South Asian diaspora, with its deep love (and even deeper pockets) for the game, has turned the country into a prime location for fledgling leagues. The setup is ripe for experimentation, with nearly 60 first-class and international players active in the American cricket scene.

But that growth has also come with challenges. The ICC reportedly receives more applications from the U.S. than any other country for sanctioning T20 and T10 leagues. An ICC official hinted at the need for a significant overhaul in the sanctioning process to manage this influx.

Ripple Effects: USAC Takes Action

It seems that the USAC has taken the ICC’s reprimand seriously. In a surprising move, USAC chose not to sanction the US Open T20, a long-running tournament with over a decade of history. While the specifics behind this decision remain unclear, this may be part of a broader ICC effort to tighten the reins on league standards worldwide.