Players and Chief Selector at odds over NOC for T20 leagues

The regulations of the International Cricket Council (ICC) stipulate that any player desiring to partake in a league must secure a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their respective cricket board. This guideline is applicable even to recently-retired cricketers for a specific timeframe.

Recently, the management committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has entrusted significant duties to some former players, who recently retired. The repercussions of their decisions have become evident, particularly in the case of Imad Wasim. Imad Wasim, reflecting on past unfavorable experiences, chose to retire after being denied an NOC for the T10 League and being directed to participate in a domestic T20 tournament instead.

According to sources, several other players are also unhappy with the denial of NOCs for the T10 League. The players argue that there is ample time before the T20I series against New Zealand, and preventing them from earning additional income through leagues is deemed inappropriate.

Wahab Riaz, the new chief selector, has explicitly stated that players must engage in domestic events if they aspire to represent the national team. However, this approach has not resonated well with the players. A cricketer, on condition of remaining anonymous, remarked, "Wahab has assumed significant responsibilities post-retirement, and it appears he is keen to assert his authority. Nonetheless, using force or coercion does not resolve issues. Zaka Asraf is a wise person, and he should seek a suitable solution while taking cognizance of this matter."