The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly rejected the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) application against the Indian Premier League (IPL) for snubbing Pakistani cricketers, saying it can not take action against any domestic association.

According to well-placed sources in the PCB, Haroon Lorgat, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the ICC has replied to PCB's letter clarifying that the governing body cannot interfere in the issue.

"The ICC told the PCB that since the IPL was primarily a domestic tournament of the Indian cricket board, it couldn't do anything," The News quoted sources, as saying.

"The ICC also took the same stance as the IPL that the franchises which bid for the players were also private enterprises and the ICC had no control over them," they added.

Eleven Pakistani players, including the cream of the Shahid Afridi-led reigning Twenty20 World Cup squad were in the IPL auction 3 fray, but none of the eight IPL franchisees took interest in them, fearing the chill in Indo-Pak relation might worsen, resulting in non-participation of these players. The uncertainty over their availability cost Pakistani players lucrative IPL contracts. (ANI)