Inzamam and Moin Khan, who themselves play in the rebel ICL, said the SLC’s bold step showed that Pakistan can also take an independent decision on its ICL contracted players.

"Pakistan needs to stop doing what India wants. Cricket is the bread and butter of the banned players and they have committed no crime by opting to play in the ICL which is now growing and is an alternate for players," Inzamam said.

"Sri Lanka has set a bold and fair precedent. English counties have stuck to their principles by allowing ICL players and I think very soon the ICC will also have to rethink its policy on the ICL," he added.

Moin made it clear that the players banned by boards had not entirely ruled out legal action against the authorities. "It is an option available to us because we are confident if things go to court many people will be uncomfortable," he said.

Another former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif said the ban on ICL players was unjustified. "I don’t think the IPL can continue calling the shots for long now. Something has to give way after the bold stand taken by Sri Lanka and the English players," Latif said.

Many in the Pakistan Cricket Board also believe that Sri Lanka Cricket president Arjuna Ranatunga has sent out a message to the Indian Premier League by lifting the domestic ban on his country’s players signed up with the rebel Indian Cricket League.