Kathmandu. With just one day left for the start of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), confusion has arisen regarding the participation of Pakistani players. Confusion has increased after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) delayed giving the required No Objection Letter (NOC) to its players coming to play in the NPL.
According to ESPN Cricinfo, it is claimed that PCB has asked for 25 thousand US dollars per player. It has also been claimed that the NOCs of Pakistani players who have come to Nepal have been withheld and they have been warned to withdraw their certificates without paying the fee.
Cricinfo made this claim on Sunday based on the information received from NPL teams who have signed Pakistani players. It is mentioned in the news that the discussion between NPL and PCB is ongoing. However, there is no official confirmation from the PCB regarding the demand of $25,000 per player.
Various teams have signed international and professional cricket players from Pakistan for the third edition of NPL. Chitwan Rhinos have signed Hasan Ali and Usama Mir. Janakpur Bolts have Iftikhar Ahmed while Karnali Yaks have signed Pakistan T20 captain Sahibzada Farhan and all-rounder Hussain Talat. Hyder Ali’s name has also been linked with Sudurpaschim Royals. Janakpur Bolts have also announced the signing of Pakistani fast bowler Hunain Shah.
Some of these players have come to Nepal. However, having a player contract alone does not ensure that all the procedures necessary to play in the tournament are completed. In order to participate in this edition of the NPL recognized by the International Cricket Council (ICC), there is a provision for foreign players to obtain an NOC from the respective National Cricket Board.
The third edition of the NPL is starting from Monday, October 26 at the Trivi International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. The competition will run until November 21.
With only one day left for the start of the tournament, questioning the availability of foreign players can be a challenge for the franchise team. Player wages, team strategy and pre-match preparations all depend on the availability of contracted players.
If the claim that PCB asked for a fee before issuing the NOC is found to be true, the question will also arise as to who will bear the financial burden. Franchise teams may have to incur unexpected additional expenses while signing players. Likewise, if the approval is not received, the team may have to arrange for an alternative player.
On the other hand, when the issue of whether or not the players will be able to participate in the competition remains uncertain until the last moment, they themselves are also affected. Since the presence of foreign players is linked to the attractiveness and competitive level of the tournament, such a controversy can also raise questions about the preparation of the NPL.
The issue of PCB asking for a fee for allowing Pakistani players to play in foreign franchise leagues has been discussed before. This year, some franchises of the American Major League Cricket (MLC) complained that they were demanding $25,000 per player for the NOC of Pakistani players.
They were worried that the franchises would face financial and managerial problems when the demand for fees comes after the selection of players and the formation of the team. Details were also made public that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had earlier argued that fees received from players playing in foreign leagues was a legitimate source of income for the board. It is not uncommon for NOC to be mandatory. The main question in dispute is how much the fee is, what is the basis for it and how far in advance the franchisee was informed about it.
It is not clear what the outcome of the discussion between the PCB and the Nepali side will be before the start of the NPL. Whether the Pakistani players get the NOC on time or not will determine their participation in the tournament.
If the demand of $25,000 per player is confirmed, the total for six players is $150,000. In the case of seven players, this amount reaches 175,000 dollars.