By IANS
Kuala Lumpur : Global Test match and One-Day International (ODI) schedule will take precedence over the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL), the International Cricket Council (ICC) said after its chief executives’ meeting here Wednesday.
ICC said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which has launched the IPL with ICC’s approval, has assured the members countries that international commitments would always be a priority over the multi-million dollar IPL that starts April 18. ICC also said that players would need to secure no-objection certificates (NOCs) from its national cricket boards to play in the IPL.
The ICC made the announcement at the end of its two-day Chief Executive Committee (CEC) meet here Wednesday.
“The members were pleased to receive very clear and unconditional commitment from the BCCI that international matches would be given absolute priority over IPL commitments,” ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said.
The issue came up for discussion here following media speculation that the ICC was planning to create a window within the Future Tours Programme (FTP), a five-year Test and ODI schedule for 10 Test nations, to accommodate IPL.
But, the ICC clarified that the FTP is in place until 2012 and there was no suggestion from the BCCI to create any window for the IPL Twenty20 extravaganza.
“There has been plenty of speculation about the impact that IPL will have on the world game. The other ICC members are supportive of the BCCI and will carefully evaluate the first year of the IPL and its wider impact on the game in other parts of the world,” said Speed.
He also said that ICC would consult BCCI to put in place anti-corruption and anti-doping measures for the high-profile league. It also recommended establishing a code of ethics for all team franchises.