PCB denies NOCs to Pakistan players for 2024 Zim Afro T10 league

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has declined to issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to national cricketers selected for the upcoming Zim Afro T10 League, citing the league’s lack of official approval from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

According to media reports, the PCB has emphasized that no national cricketer will be permitted to participate in the tournament until approval from the ICC is obtained. This decision affects several high-profile players, including Shahnawaz Dahani, Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Irfan, Sharjeel Khan, and Salman Arshad, all of whom had been selected for the event.

Additionally, Shahnawaz Dahani, Asif Ali, and Haider Ali are already involved in teams participating in the upcoming Champions One-Day Cup, further complicating their potential involvement in the Zim Afro T10 League.

A spokesperson for the T10 League, however, disputed the need for ICC approval. "The Zimbabwe Cricket Board is a full member of the ICC, and the league's licence has been granted by the Zimbabwe Cricket Board," the spokesperson said.

The franchises for the league have already secured their icon and global superstar players as direct signings, with the draft scheduled for September 8.

Each team will have a 15-member squad, with the addition of a 16th global icon player, and each squad will include up to six local Zimbabwean players. The tournament's second edition is set to take place from September 21 to 29 in Harare.