The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is planning to restrict No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for some of their key players in upcoming franchise tournaments. This decision follows the recent denial of an NOC to Naseem Shah for The Hundred tournament.
Top players such as Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, and Babar Azam are expected to miss the Global T20 League Canada, starting on July 25. This measure is to manage their workloads and ensure they are well-rested for a busy national schedule, including a Test series against Bangladesh that begins on August 21.
The PCB’s current NOC policy does not completely ban all requests but is expected to impact players who regularly participate in all formats of cricket. The board aims to ensure these players are in top form for national team commitments.
This strategy is likely to continue even after the upcoming leagues, as Pakistan’s cricket schedule from October 2024 to May 2025 is very packed with several overlapping T20 tournaments.
According to the central contracts signed last year, players are allowed to participate in up to two overseas franchise leagues annually, provided there are no conflicting international commitments.
The PCB is implementing these measures to balance the players’ participation in franchise leagues with their national duties. The goal is to prevent burnout and keep them fresh and fit for representing Pakistan in international matches.
This careful management of players’ schedules reflects the PCB’s commitment to prioritizing the national team’s performance over franchise tournaments.