Uncertainty Over Pakistani Cricketers Participation in Nepal Premier League Amid NOC Dispute

Uncertainty has emerged over the participation of Pakistani cricketers in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) just ahead of the tournament, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has yet to issue the required No Objection Certificates (NOCs).

According to ESPNcricinfo, the PCB has also instructed that previously issued NOCs for Pakistani players be put on hold. Multiple sources associated with the NPL have indicated that the PCB has reportedly demanded a fee of around US$25,000 for each Pakistani player’s NOC. However, it remains unclear whether any such proposal has been made in writing. The PCB has yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter.

The eight-team NPL is scheduled to take place in Kathmandu. Several Pakistani players have already arrived in the Nepalese capital to participate in the tournament. However, other players have postponed their travel plans until the NOC-related issue is resolved.

Notable Pakistani players signed up for the NPL include T20I captain Sahibzada Farhan, Haider Ali, Hunain Shah, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Hasan Ali and Usama Mir. Notably, the NPL schedule does not clash with any international fixtures involving the Pakistan national team, and none of these players is currently part of Pakistan’s ODI or Test squad plans.