The ICL has hit recession mode with a series of moves that reflect the current economic realities. The World Series Twenty20 tournament, scheduled for March, now stands cancelled, and payments to players have been put on hold until the management completes a stringent performance review that could lead to downgrading of payments and even sackings.

Himanshu Mody, the business head of the ICL, said the non-availability of Pakistan players - Lahore Badshahs are the ICL’s biggest draw - was