LAHORE: In an interesting development, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has shown relaxation in issuing no-objection certificates (NOCs) to the country’s contracted cricketers for competing in the forthcoming franchise-based leagues, including the UAE-based International League T20 (ILT20) and the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

“The Board has issued the NOCs 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 PCB stated in a press release issued on Thursday.

It may be mentioned that most players of Pakistan’s national cricket team had signed up for two T20 leagues much before signing the present central contract with the PCB.

The central contract for 2023-24 was signed during last year’s ICC World Cup in India only after some contentious issues between the Board and the players were settled.

According to the contract, the players were allowed to feature in only three T20 leagues during a year, including the Pakistan Super League (PSL). However, as several Pakistan players are participating in the ongoing Big Bash League (Australia) in this season, they could only play one more league, according to the agreement they had made with the PCB.

The players in this scenario were not happy with the PCB on the grounds that they had already signed up for other leagues, and signed the central contract with the PCB late in November. Therefore, the players contended, this time they should be allowed to fulfil their commitments with T20 leagues.

When contacted, PCB media director Aalia Rasheed said the Board had given relaxation to the players on the NOC only for one year, keeping in mind the central contract was signed late in November last year.

“However, in 2024-25 they will not be allowed to compete in more than three T20 leagues, including PSL, in one year,” added the PCB official.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2024