Azam Khan withdraws from Lanka Premier League due to PCB's two-league policy

Pakistan's wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan has decided to withdraw from the Lanka Premier League (LPL) following the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) policy of issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to players for participation in only two leagues per year.

This policy has led national players to prioritize leagues that offer higher-quality cricket and better compensation.

Azam, who was selected for the Kandy squad in the LPL, opted to withdraw without applying for an NOC. Instead, Azam plans to participate in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), the International League T20 (ILT20), and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in the upcoming cycle. 

Sources confirm that while Azam has yet to apply for an NOC for the CPL, which starts on August 28, he intends to submit his application to the PCB in the coming days.

This move highlights the shifting dynamics within Pakistani cricket, where players increasingly make strategic decisions about their league commitments based on the PCB’s regulations. 

The two-league policy, aimed at managing player workloads and ensuring availability for national duties, has prompted players to withdraw from certain leagues despite being selected.

Azam Khan's decision follows a similar move by fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, who recently withdrew from The Hundred to play in the Global T20 in Canada and the ILT20 in the UAE.

Afridi’s choice underscores the trend among Pakistani cricketers to align their league participation with the PCB's guidelines while also maximizing their professional and financial benefits.

In another development, opening batter, Saim Ayub has applied for NOC from the PCB to participate in the CPL. However, the board has not yet decided on his application.