Sri Lanka Cricket has decided to allow players aligned with the rebel ICL to compete in the country's domestic tournaments.

Even as Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) banned players for joining the ICL, the SLC interim committee decided to soften its stand on the 'rebels' in a meeting held here a couple of days ago.

This move by the SCL will certainly irk the BCCI.

SLC chief Arjuna Ranatunga moved the resolution to lift the ban on players like Marvan Atapattu, Russel Arnold and Upul Chandana.

"Arjuna felt that it was unfair to keep these players out for long," SLC secretary K Mathivanan said.

"These bans have to stop somewhere," he added.

Apart from Sri Lanka, only England and New Zealand have allowed ICL players to compete in their domestic tournaments.