The likelihood of Pakistani cricketers participating in the upcoming Abu Dhabi T10 tournament has significantly diminished following the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) last-minute demand. The board has insisted on a payment of $10,000 for each No-Objection Certificate (NOC) issued, a fee to be paid by the league. This move has left teams scrambling to decide whether to comply with the payment or source alternative players.
The Abu Dhabi T10 organisers had applied for player NOCs shortly after the draft was held on 30th September. However, the PCB only communicated its financial requirement a week prior to the tournament’s commencement on 7th November. A total of 16 Pakistani players were chosen by five out of the six participating teams, but some players are reportedly considering covering the fee themselves if team owners are unwilling to do so.
Previously, the PCB withheld NOCs for the Nepal Premier League unless a $25,000 fee was provided for each player. Although players like Hussain Talat and Jahandad Khan participated in the NPL, many returned without playing.
The PCB has periodically applied a fee for allowing its players’ participation in international franchise leagues, particularly those lacking reciprocal arrangements that favour Pakistani players. “That rationale still holds,” noted a PCB official, reflecting on similar cases during the inception of the ILT20.
Under its reformed NOC policy, the PCB has eliminated restrictions on the number of T20 and T10 competitions players can join, provided they are available for national duties. However, those in dual-format or red-ball tracks face stricter limits, yet specific player placements in these tracks remain undisclosed as central contracts post-2025 have not been announced.
Pakistani players face shrinking opportunities internationally due to geopolitical tensions, notably with India, hindering their participation in IPL and related ventures. Few exceptions exist, such as Abrar Ahmed’s signing with Sunrisers Leeds and Usman Tariq’s associations with franchises like the Trinidad Knight Riders and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.
Players drafted for the Abu Dhabi T10 include Salman Irshad with the Arabian Aces, and others like Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan across various teams. The PCB is yet to respond to queries regarding its recent decisions, leaving uncertainty hanging over the involvement of Pakistani players in foreign leagues.
