Major League Cricket wants Pakistani players for inaugural season

The Major Cricket League (MCL) has made a formal request to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) seeking permission for Pakistani players to take part in the inaugural edition of the league, according to a local media report.

The PCB responded positively to the MCL management's request but set a condition for the players' participation.

The report added that the PCB asked the MCL management to pay $25,000 for each player's involvement in the league.

The MCL management requested some time to consider this requirement before making a final decision.

The six-team MLC tournament will be played between July 13-30 in Dallas and has already attracted numerous renowned players from around the globe.

Jason Roy has given up his incremental contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to play in the inaugural edition of the United States' new Twenty20 tournament.

"The ECB have agreed for him to play in the competition (MLC) on the proviso that he gives up the remainder of his ECB incremental contract, which both parties have agreed to," the ECB said on Thursday.

"The ECB wish to clarify that this decision will not affect Jason’s selection for England teams going forward. We have absolute confidence and faith that Jason is committed to England cricket."

In a statement on social media, Roy said he would never "walk away from England".

"I've had clear and supportive conversations with the ECB about participating in Major League Cricket. The ECB were happy with me to play in the competition as long as they didn't have to pay me for the remainder of the contractual year," Roy said.