BCCI and ECB Sternly Oppose Saudi Arabia’s T20 Cricket League

Saudi Arabia’s big plans to launch a T20 cricket league have hit a roadblock as two of cricket’s most powerful countries—India and England—are standing firmly in the way.

The Saudi government, through its sports investment arm SRJ Sports, is reportedly planning to spend about$400–500 million on this project to create a tournament unlike anything before: eight teams playing all year round in four different countries, with both men’s and women’s competitions.

But before the league could even get going, the BCCI and the ECB decided to block it. According to reports in foreign media, both BCCI and ECB have confirmed that players will not be issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for the Saudi League if it takes off.

The BCCI is very protective of its property, the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is worth about$12 billion. The IPL already bans its players from taking part in other leagues, so it was always likely this Saudi plan would be rejected.

England’s board also has financial interests to protect. Its own competition, The Hundred, recently secured$700 million in private funding, and both boards worry that a rich Saudi league could clash with their schedules, drive up salaries, and make it harder to keep their tournaments on top.

Besides refusing to release players, India and England are also reportedly pressuring the International Cricket Council (ICC) not to officially approve the Saudi T20 league. This matters because the ICC’s chairman, Jay Shah, previously served as BCCI’s head, and most cricketing circles believe the ICC won’t go against India’s wishes.

Saudi Arabia’s entrance into franchise T20 cricket is part of a wider plan called Vision 2030. The Kingdom is spending billions to diversify its economy and build a strong reputation in sports. They already host Formula 1 races, own the LIV Golf Tour, and will hold the FIFA World Cup in 2034.

In cricket, Saudi companies like Aramco already sponsor the ICC in a deal worth nearly$100 million each year. The IPL auction was even held in Dubai last year with Saudi partners heavily involved.

While BCCI and ECB remain firm, not every cricket board is saying no. Cricket Australia, for example, seems open to discussing a partnership. Unlike India and England, Australia’s Big Bash League doesn’t have huge private investment and is looking for ways to grow.

Cricket South Africa also recently sold parts of its SA20 league to Indian owners for$136 million, proving that private investors are welcome when they work through established channels.

For now, the Saudi T20 league is just a big idea with no clear path to becoming reality, especially with two of the most powerful boards standing in their way. However, cricketing times are changing fast. More and more players are retiring young to pursue franchise cricket across the globe, negating the need for a NOC from the board. If Saudi Arabia can attract them through lucrative deals, the boards will be left helpless.

For now, the established powerhouses are reluctant to relinquish their control over the sport, but with plenty of money on offer, Saudi Arabia may be the country that finally challenges the status quo.