It is believed that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will revise its policy to only allow players to participate in a limited number of overseas T20 leagues following the national team’s poor performance at the T20 World Cup.
In its quest for improved player workload management and enhanced performance of the national team, this was announced by PTI.
Presently, all centrally and domestically contracted cricketers can be issued No Objection Certificates for participation in two foreign leagues annually apart from their regular involvement in Pakistan Super League. This guideline, which had been laxly adhered to before now, is being enforced more strictly.
These decisions demonstrate that relevance has once again become a major concern of the PCB. Specifically retain by their franchises for this year’s Caribbean Premier League Azam Khan and Saim Ayub who are young players were denied NOCs despite participating in the world cup; hence showing that National duty overrides personal matters with regard to players’ overall fitness level.
Usama Mir, a senior leg-spinner, was also not granted permission by the PCB to play during English Vitality Blast and The Hundred tournaments.
Accordingly it was clearly explained to him that “the point you’re making is entirely beside itself,” as he said there was no international commitment for him and no domestic event so he should have been allowed to play in England but his source told PTI, “this isn’t about you; it’s about whether or not we want you here.”
The same publicized its position on other cricket boards and franchises organizing T20 leagues so as to make them aware. It wants Pakistani players involved within different foreign T20 leagues controlled. The message sent out by PCB is basically saying that any player contracts entered without an NOC sanctioned from them will be taken at franchise owners risk.
