KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has granted no-objection certificates (NOC) to national men’s players to feature in the forthcoming franchise-based leagues, which include the International League T20 (ILT20) and Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
As per the cricket board, the NOCs were issued in line with the provisions of the players' central contracts.
"The decision was made in the best interests of all the stakeholders involved while balancing the importance of game time with workload management," the statement added.
Both leagues are starting from tomorrow (January 19).
Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Waseem Jr, Faheem Ashraf, Usman Qadir and many other Pakistan stars are part of different BPL teams.
Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, Azam Khan, Mohammad Amir (all Desert Vipers) and Imad Wasim (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders) will play ILT20.
Cricketers, part of the T20Is in New Zealand, will join after the conclusion of the series on January 21, 2024.
As per sources, pacers Ihsanullah, Naseem Shah, and Mohammad Hasnain were not given NOCs keeping the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and T20 World Cup in mind.
Meanwhile, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris and Iftikhar Ahmed didn't get NOC for BPL.
Their NOCs are on hold as they have played two leagues since July 2023.
Players who have contracts in ILT20 are exempted from this requirement since they were signed by the franchises before the central contracts.
Earlier, Geo News reported that PCB is planning to organise T10 matches in the last week of January.
The PCB is ambitiously aiming to include all national players in these T10 games, even those who have contractual commitments to participate in BPL and ILT20.
The decision to organise exhibition matches comes after the cricket board faced challenges in obtaining government approval for a dedicated T10 league.
The PCB had sealed a deal with the Middlesex County Cricket Club, signalling its determination to make the T10 matches a reality.
However, it is now unclear whether the matches will now be held or not.
It must be noted that PCB's fascination with T10 has been ongoing. A recent statement from Zaka Ashraf, head of the PCB Management Committee, hinted at his ambition to see the league established during his tenure.
Ashraf is eager to make an impact on Pakistani cricket through a successful T10 League.
Faizan Lakhani Faizan Lakhani is Deputy Editor (Sports) at Geo News.