COLOMBO, Sept 19: Sri Lanka will re-admit players aligned with the unauthorised Indian Cricket League into domestic cricket, officials said on Friday, in a move that defies the world cricket establishment.

“Players will be allowed to play for their respective clubs and share their expertise, but cannot represent the country,” Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) media manager Shane Fernando told AFP.

The SLC had last year banned its five ICL players — Marvan Atapattu, Russel Arnold, Upul Chandana, Avishka Gunawardena and Saman Jayantha -from playing any official cricket matches.

The decision comes two days after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) joined its counterparts from other countries in banning 13 players, including former captain Habibur Bashar, who has signed up with the ICL.

The ICL, bankrolled by India’s largest listed media company Zee Telefilms, was launched last year in a direct conflict with the powerful Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The BCCI not only barred any ICL player or official from taking part in official cricket, but also convinced other boards to take similar action against their ‘rebel’ players.

The Indian board also started its own lucrative Indian Premier League Twenty20 competition, featuring the world’s top stars, to counter the ICL.

Not surprisingly, ICL officials welcomed Sri Lanka’s decision.

“This is a step in the right direction,” ICL business head Himanshu Mody said. “We hope that this decision will pave the way for Sri Lankan cricketers to play both for the ICL and their country in the near future.”

The ICL’s first season last year comprised Twenty20 and 50-overs-a-side matches between eight teams that included a mix of international players and domestic Indian cricketers.

Among the top stars aligned with the ICL are retired former Test captains Brian Lara of the West Indies and Inzamam-ul Haq of Pakistan, besides fiery New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond and veteran Chris Cairns.

The Dhaka Warriors will be added as the ninth team in the second season starting on Oct 10.—AFP