Ruckus again in Pakistan cricket, players plan to end central contract: reports

Pakistan Cricket Team has once again come into the headlines due to controversies. Pakistani cricketers are disappointed with their country’s board (PCB) that they are not getting NOC approval for foreign T20 leagues. This matter has escalated so much that many players are considering terminating their central contracts with the PCB.

Mohammad Haris was recently refused NOC for the Bangladesh Premier League. The batsman had already reached Bangladesh and was busy preparing for the tournament and was representing Chittagong Challengers. However, when PCB did not change its decision, Haris had to return to Pakistan. Apart from Haris, NOC was also refused to Zaman Khan and Fakhar Zaman.

A source told PTI, ‘The matter has come to a head because the board recently did not give NOC to some players like Zaman Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris to participate in the Bangladesh Premier League, apart from the Pakistan Super League. Have played in two leagues.

Haris Rauf was issued NOC for the Big Bash League 2023-24 season. The PCB had earlier asked him to take part in the domestic T20 competition and his absence from the Australia tour also did not help.

The PCB is also hesitant in granting NOC for other T20 leagues like SA20 and ILT20. Another source told PTI, ‘The players believe that when there is no series in Pakistan before the PSL, then why is the board stopping them from taking part in other leagues even though they have got good contracts.’

When Zaka Ashraf was the chairman, guidelines were issued that apart from PSL, players can participate in only two other foreign leagues. By the way, Pakistan’s top players Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi are also contracted with foreign T20 leagues. Babar Azam is representing Rangpur Riders in the Bangladesh Premier League. Afridi is playing for Desert Vipers in ILT20.