ENGLAND have banned players from appearing in the Pakistan Super League and other franchise divisions.

However, there is an exception in place for the Indian Premier League.

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The decision was made by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) with the belief that it will protect the quality of domestic cricket.

The change could severely damage the earning potential of English players during the home season.

It also creates a risk that some will turn their back on the red-ball game entirely to play abroad.

According to The Telegraph, the ECB will also stop allowing players to appear in any competition that overlaps with the Vitality Blast and the Hundred.

In addition, players will be prohibited from leagues suspected of corruption and prevented from switching to a new tournament immediately once eliminated from another competition.

The new policy, approved by the ECB on Wednesday, is expected to leave cricket stars in a difficult position.

As per The Telegraph, ECB chief executive Richard Gould said: “We need to protect the integrity of our sport and the strength of our competitions in England and Wales as well.

“This policy gives clarity to players and professional counties around our approach to issuing No Objection Certificates.

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“It will enable us to strike the right balance between supporting players who want to take up opportunities to earn and gain experience, while also protecting the integrity of cricket globally, ensuring we don’t undermine our own ECB competitions, and managing the welfare of centrally contracted England players.”

The new Pakistan Super League season is set to begin next April, intensifying the competition for talent.

Without the ECB’s action it was feared that several English players would choose to play in Pakistan, reducing the quality of the County Championship.

Despite the Board’s new ban, an exception remains in place for the Indian Premier League, which starts in March.

Joss Butler is one of the England stars who will feature, having signed for Gujarat Titans in a deal worth £1.4m to the batsman.