(Image Source: X)
[Saba Sports News] Pakistani cricketers are increasingly frustrated with the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) strict policy on not issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for certain overseas T20 leagues. This issue has grown so severe that some players are considering abandoning their central contracts with the PCB. Mohammad Haris, for instance, was not granted an NOC to play in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), leading to his sudden return from Bangladesh where he was set to join the Chattogram Challengers. Zaman Khan and Fakhar Zaman have faced similar rejections.
A source cited by TOI mentioned, “The matter has come to a head because recently the board refused NOCs to some players including Zaman Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Haris to play in the Bangladesh Premier League on the grounds that they had already played two leagues besides the Pakistan Super League.”
Haris Rauf also had difficulties obtaining an NOC for the Big Bash League (BBL) 2023-24, as the PCB prioritized his participation in domestic competitions, and then complicated the situation by excluding him from the Test squad for the Australian tour.
The PCB’s reluctance isn’t limited to the BPL but also affects other leagues like the SA20 and ILT20. Players argue that when there are no upcoming Pakistan assignments before the Pakistan Super League (PSL), they should be allowed to play in these lucrative leagues. “The players feel that when there is no Pakistan assignment before the PSL why should the board stop them from playing in other leagues where they have good contracts,” said another source.
While the PCB has denied NOCs to some, it has allowed top players like Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam to participate in the ILT20 and BPL, highlighting an inconsistency in their policy.
This controversy is complicating Pakistan’s preparations for the 2024 T20 World Cup, especially in light of their recent T20I series loss against New Zealand and ineffective team management changes.