UNI
 
Colombo, Sep 2: In what appeared to be support from unexpected quarters, the Indian Cricket League (ICL) has got the backing of Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) chairman of selectors, Ashantha de Mel, who urged the nation's board to take a softer stance on its decision to ban players who joins the rebel league.

"I can't understand the decision to ban players from all activities. We have to look at the issue of contracted players favourably and the board must decide whether or not to send them depending on their workload,'' De Mel told 'The Island' newspaper.

He also argued that even contracted players should be allowed to sign up with the breakaway league.

Incidentally, no Sri Lankan cricketer has signed with the multi-million dollar league as yet, but several players including Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvan Atapattu, Russel Arnold, Nuwan Zoysa, Upul Chandana and Avishka Gunawardene have been approached by the officials of the private league.