PCB deny players NOC for UAE International League T20

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided not to give NOC to players for the inaugural UAE International League T20, scheduled to take place from January 6 to February 12, 2023.

Two star players applied formally for NOC but Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) rejected, while others did not contact after viewing the rejection.

Many star players, including skipper Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Rizwan, were approached by various franchises.

The board refused to hand NOC considering the home international series and workload. Pakistan players will participate in the 2023 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), home series against New Zealand and West Indies during ILT20.

PCB did not show any support for this league and also raised the issue of disadvantages of increasing T20 leagues during the ICC meetings in Birmingham last month.

PCB is also looking to prevent the players from participating in the leagues of the associated countries. Even non-contracted and retired Pakistani cricketers have been allowed to participate in the UAE's ILT20 so far.

Last month, two Pakistan cricketers received an offer of PKR 120 million each from a franchise of the UAE League while others were also offered huge, however, viewing the attitude of PCB, the franchises have now stopped looking at Pakistani cricketers.

When some players contacted the organizers, they were told that the PCB has not yet clarified the NOC policy, but according to sources, several million dollars have been demanded by the PCB from the organizers for the permit. 

BCCI gives money to all the boards in return for allowing cricketers to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL), but UAE has not opted to go with such a policy yet.