Amid change in regime in Pakistan Cricket Board senior Pakistan players are reportedly unhappy with PCB

A significant discord has erupted between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its players. It marks a contentious issue surrounding the extension of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for league appearances beyond the originally scheduled dates. The disagreement centres on the inconsistent policies adopted by the PCB in granting NOCs to players participating in foreign leagues, causing dissatisfaction among the players.

As several Pakistani players engaged in the ongoing ILT20 and the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL 2024), they sought an extension of their NOCs. They were asked to complete their commitments before returning for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL). The tournament is scheduled to commence on February 17. However, the PCB, in a firm stance, declined the extension requests and directed players to adhere to the initially set return schedule.

The source within the PCB highlighted the core issue, stating, “The problem is that there are different conditions and return dates given to the players, which has caused the problems. While the majority of players have to return by February 7, some players can return on the 11th and some even on the 16th, and this is causing frustration among the players.”

The players had appealed to the PCB for an extension!

Notable Pakistani players such as Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Muhammad Nawaz, Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, Shadab Khan, Aamer Jamal, Azam Khan, Imad Wasim, Muhammad Amir, Muhammad Hasnain, Ahmed Shehzad, and Shoaib Malik find themselves entangled in this dispute.

Several players had appealed to the PCB for an extension, considering that the PSL is scheduled to commence after February 17. However, the PCB remained unyielding, instructing both centrally contracted players and those without contracts to return home promptly.

This decision has fueled discontent among players, raising questions about the transparency and fairness of the board’s policies regarding NOCs for league participation. The ongoing tension between the PCB and the players casts a shadow over the collaborative spirit essential for the smooth functioning of Pakistan’s cricket ecosystem.