Kathmandu. The participation of Pakistani players in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) has become uncertain.
According to Cricinfo, a problem has arisen regarding the NOC of Pakistani players participating in the NPL. Information has been given that even players who have already received NOCs are being stopped from participating in the competition.
Individuals associated with the NPL have stated that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has demanded 25,000 US dollars from each player for the NOC. However, Cricinfo has not been able to confirm in writing that the PCB has demanded such a fee from the league organizers.
This year's NPL is scheduled to start tomorrow, Monday. Eight teams are participating in the competition. Some Pakistani players who are supposed to play in the NPL have already arrived in Kathmandu, while other players who were on their way to Nepal have reportedly postponed their travel until the problem is resolved.
It is not yet clear whether the problem has arisen due to the fee or if the PCB has demanded the fee. In a news report, Cricinfo mentioned that the PCB did not immediately respond to a request for comment on this matter.
Pakistani T-20 captain Sahibzada Farhan, Haider Ali, Hunain Shah, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, and Usama Mir are participating in the NPL. None of these players are in the Pakistan squad whose dates clash with the NPL.
This year, the PCB announced a new central contract structure, clearly separating red-ball and white-ball cricket. This also included 'Format Track D', under which players were considered T-20 specialists.
In principle, this arrangement would give players the freedom to play in their desired T-20 leagues, provided the dates do not clash with the international commitments specified by the PCB.
However, the PCB has not made public which player falls into which category. It is also unclear whether the new contract structure has been implemented or not. None of the Pakistani players participating in the NPL are currently in Pakistan's ODI or Test squad.
