Is this the beginning of bad blood between ICC and franchise leagues?

As ICC releases its Future Tours Program (FTP) with swell fixtures and the inclusion of tri-series. The question arises, is ICC finally baring its teeth?

In the new-age, a wave of franchise leagues has taken over the shore of cricket. For uncapped players a glittery path to international cricket, for international players a stage to show their buff and for corporations a pot of gold. 

The cool new bully

A stadium lit up for IPL opening ceremony 

Franchise leagues have built a big reputation for themselves. They have been accused of 'staining' the pure and perfect image of cricket, filled with greed and glamour, franchise leagues are thew new 'bad influence' on players; spoiling young cricketers with money, glamour and the spotlight.  

Reputation precedes but are franchise leagues really the villain they're painted to be?

International boards and their tryst with leagues 

Lately, international boards have struggled to keep a hold on their players and their participation in foreign tournaments. Critics have raised their concerns over the manufacturing of single-format players (mainly T20). Cricketers choose to retire from the international stage but continue playing for cash-rich leagues. 

Side-eyeing the success of the Indian Premier League, international boards have now started to construct their own domestic leagues in a desperate attempt to keep their players and their money to themselves. 

In the monopoly and privatisation of cricket, it would be a precise prediction to make that the ICC might be stirring in its seat. 

"IPL is strengthening its position as the Premier League or NBA of cricket" - Former ICC head of strategy Jon Long

The bad blood 

The 2023-27 FTP cycle consists of 777 scheduled matches across all three formats – 173 Tests, 281 ODIs and 323 T20Is. Is this a way of ICC telling franchise leagues to pack their bags? 

The international governing body is keen on protecting Test and ODI formats among the rise of T20 cricket. 

With T20 tournaments breathing down their neck and jam packed schedules, players have now started to quit other formats to make themselves available for foreign tournaments. Leaving international cricket with a lot less profits and a lot more vulnerable. 

Is ICC finally baring its teeth?

In what might be ICC's attempt at stopping players from swaying towards lucrative franchise leagues over international cricket.

Has the board desperately increased its fixtures compared to the last FTP, leaving barely any time off for players to even think about participating in anything but international games?

Taking multiple tri-series under its umbrella, is this a subtle hint into ICC's mentality? 

Is this ICC's way of pleading the big names to stay put in international cricket?

Also Read: ICC Men's FTP: England, Australia and India to play maximum Tests in 2023-27 cycle