The International Cricket Council (ICC) is responding to "significant corruption concerns" in franchise cricket, as outlined in a report by its integrity unit on July 9, 2026. The ICC has identified an alarming trend of corrupters infiltrating leagues and players across various member territories.
Plans to Combat Franchise Corruption
In light of these findings, the ICC is set to establish a working party aimed at harmonizing franchise cricket within the international calendar. This initiative will also explore more effective strategies to combat corruption. During the ongoing annual conference in Edinburgh, the ICC's executive committee will discuss several broader strategies to address these integrity issues.
One proposal includes expanding the scope of ICC sanctions on domestic leagues, requiring more tournaments to obtain ICC approval. Currently, a domestic league in a non-full member country needs ICC approval only if it features more than four players who have represented a full member national team within the last 24 months.
Illegal Betting and Sponsorship Concerns
The ICC has also expressed concerns regarding the growth of illegal betting, particularly through sponsorships of franchise leagues by certain companies. These practices pose a risk to host member countries, potentially facilitating illegal betting and increasing the likelihood of corruption.
