Sunday 31st August 2008

Sharad Pawar

BCCI to allow foreign players

The BCCI has permitted foreign players to play in India's first-class domestic championship for the first time.

Four 'guest' players - players from outside the state - will be allowed to represent domestic sides in the Ranji Trophy, while one of those four could come from overseas.

"The state associations will be allowed to include four guest players in their squad," BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said in a statement.

"One of the four players could be a cricketer from overseas, who has played at least 10 Tests and/or 20 One-day Internationals.

"However, a maximum of three 'guest' players will be permitted to figure in the playing XI at a given point of time.

"The last date for the state associations to register the 'guest' players will be 1st September every year."