The Pakistan players remain in the dark regarding the No Objection Certificate (NOC) situation with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). This matter has been a bone of contention between the two parties for quite some time.
The conflict revolves around the players’ desire to participate in as many T20 leagues as possible, while the PCB aims to impose a cap on such engagements. This disagreement over the NOC was a major point of contention last year, leading to a standoff where players were initially unwilling to sign the central contracts.
The players eventually signed the central during the ODI World Cup in India. However, challenges persist as players continue to face obstacles in pursuing their aspirations. Recently, Mohammad Haris had to return home from Bangladesh after failing to obtain the mandatory NOC from the PCB for the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
The right-handed batsman had already arrived in Bangladesh to prepare for the tournament. He was a part of the Chattogram Challengers squad. With PCB denying him the NOC, he had no option but to return home from Bangladesh. According to media reports, the Pakistani board has also denied permission to Fakhar Zaman and Iftikhar Ahmed to play in the BPL.
PCB denies NOC to Zaman Khan:
Fast-bowler Zaman Khan has become the latest Pakistani player to be denied a NOC by the PCB. The right-arm pacer was set to play in the BPL but failed to obtain the required permission from the PCB, according to reports in Pakistani media.
“PCB has cancelled NOC which was issued to Zaman Khan for Bangladesh Premier League. PCB earlier declined NOC request made by Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohammad Haris for BPL,” wrote Pakistani journalist Arfa Feroz Zake on X.
BREAKING NEWS — PCB has cancelled NOC which was issued to Zaman Khan for Bangladesh Premier League. PCB earlier declined NOC request made by Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohammad Haris for BPL. #PCB
— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) January 22, 2024
The development comes on the heels of reports suggesting that the PCB’s strict stance on the participation of Pakistan players in the BPL could strain its relationship with the Bangladesh Cricket Board. The PCB does not allow players to participate in more than two overseas T20 leagues in a year. As a result, it has been denying players the NOC to play in the BPL.
