The participation of Pakistani players in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) is under a cloud due to the absence of no-objection certificates (NOCs) from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The NPL, featuring eight teams, is set to commence on 26th October and continue until 21st November.
Sources within the NPL have confirmed that players, including those who had previously received NOCs, have been informed that their approval is currently suspended. It has been suggested that the PCB is seeking a fee for the issuance of these NOCs, reportedly around USD 25,000 per player. However, Cricinfo has not been able to verify whether this request has been formally communicated.
Several Pakistani cricketers, such as T20 captain Sahibzada Farhan, Haider Ali, Hunain Shah, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, and Usama Mir, are expected to feature in the tournament. While some are already in Kathmandu, others have postponed their travel plans awaiting resolution. It remains uncertain if the supposed fee is the central issue, as there has been no official statement from the PCB on the matter.
Earlier this year, the PCB introduced a new central contract framework that distinguishes between white-ball and red-ball formats. This system includes a track labelled ‘D’, designed for T20 specialists, theoretically allowing them to participate freely in T20 leagues, provided there’s no conflict with international commitments. However, there is yet to be any public disclosure by the PCB about which players fall into what track, or if this new structure is indeed operational. Notably, the Pakistani players involved in the NPL are not part of Pakistan’s current ODI or Test squads.
As the situation remains unresolved, the cricket community eagerly awaits clarity on the matter, acknowledging both the players’ aspirations and the regulatory requirements.
