A recent development has led to a growing sense of anger among Pakistani cricket players as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refuses to grant No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to players who are taking part in particular foreign T20 competitions. It’s gotten so bad that several players are thinking about walking away from their central contracts with the PCB.
In the latest instance, Mohammad Haris was not granted a Nomination of Candidacy (NOC) to participate in the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Haris was immediately ordered back to Pakistan because of the PCB’s attitude, even though he had already arrived in Bangladesh and was prepared to represent the Chattogram Challengers. Nominations for NOCs have also been denied to Zaman Khan and Fakhar Zaman.
“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,” a source told TOI.
Over the course of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2023–24 season, Haris Rauf ran into NOC difficulties. The PCB further exacerbated matters by excluding him from the Test squad for the Australian trip, despite their insistence that he play in the home T20 competition first.
Other active T20 competitions like the SA20 and ILT20 are also subject to the PCB’s reluctance. Players contend that the board has no reason to limit players ability to play in other lucrative leagues since there were no Pakistan assignments prior to the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
“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,” a another insider stated.
Top players like Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam have received NOCs from the PCB for their ILT20 and BPL commitments, despite some cricketers being refused one due to perceived inconsistencies in the board’s policy.
The issue gives Pakistan’s T20 World Cup preparations, which were already under review after a poor T20I series loss to New Zealand, an unanticipated twist. The Men in Green face a difficult task as they prepare for the 2024 T20 World Cup because the team management’s reforms have not produced the desired outcomes.
India
