In a significant move on Friday, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has decided to lift the ban on players contracted with the ‘rebel’ India Cricket League (ICL) to play domestic cricket. Among those who will be benefited by this decision are Marvan Atapattu, Russel Arnold, Upul Chandana, Avishka Gunawardene and Saman Jayantha.

Speaking on this, SLC media manager Shane Fernando, said: “We had got a request from our cricketers playing there (in the ICL) to allow them to play in the Premier League — a domestic tournament in Sri Lanka — and it was on the basis of this, that the Board took the decision.”

However, the board has not allowed these players to play in the national team. 

The ICL has welcomed the Lankan Board decision. ICL executive board member Kiran More said: “Cricketers have taken this decision. A cricketer knows a cricketer’s value. It’s a very welcome decision not only for us but for all cricketers of the world.” More hoped that the Indian Cricket board would also come up with positive decisions in the future.

Meanwhile, BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said, “It definitely is bad news for us, but we will take up the matter with the ICC soon.”