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In the ever-changing landscape of Pakistani cricket administration, recent decisions by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are causing a stir among players, leading to potential ramifications for the cricketing landscape.
The latest episode revolves around the denial of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to Mohammad Haris, preventing his participation in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2024. This move has not only left Haris aggrieved but has also triggered discontent among several centrally contracted cricketers, raising the specter of them relinquishing their deals with the PCB.
The PCB implemented a policy allowing players NOCs for a specific number of leagues, resulting in notable players like Fakhar Zaman and Zaman Khan missing out on lucrative BPL contracts.
Sources suggest that players are displeased with recent changes in PCB policies, particularly the refusal of NOCs to some players for leagues like the BPL, citing participation in other leagues, including the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
“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,” reported a source.
Furthermore, the PCB’s decision to allow players to participate in the International League T20 (ILT20) and South Africa’s SA20 has also added fuel to the fire. Players question the rationale behind restrictions when there is no immediate national assignment before the Pakistan Super League.
This discontent among players is particularly significant as they had only recently signed PCB central contracts after prolonged negotiations, just before the ICC Cricket World Cup in India last year. According to current PCB guidelines, centrally contracted players are restricted to featuring in only two foreign T20 leagues, a limitation that is now being met with resistance from the players.
The simmering discontent threatens to disrupt the harmony between the cricket board and the players, highlighting the need for a nuanced approach to player management and policy formulation in Pakistani cricket. The situation remains fluid as stakeholders navigate through these challenges to find a common ground that ensures the growth and stability of Pakistan cricket.
