NPL Shock: PCB Halts NOCs for 7 Players Hours Before Kick-off
The Pakistan Cricket Board has put the NOCs of seven players on hold just before the Nepal Premier League begins, sparking a funding controversy.
Just as the curtains were set to rise on the Nepal Premier League (NPL), the biggest sporting carnival in Nepal, a sudden administrative deadlock has thrown the tournament into chaos. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly put the No Objection Certificates (NOCs) of seven Pakistani players on hold, leaving franchise teams scrambling for substitutes mere hours before the opening match.
The tournament, scheduled to run from October 26 to November 21 at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, was poised for a high-voltage start. However, the last-minute decision by the PCB has left several teams in limbo, questioning the stability of their rosters.
The Money Trail: A Disputed Demand
The controversy centers around a sudden financial demand. Grihendra Ghimire, Director of the Karnali Yaks, revealed that the PCB requested an additional USD 25,000 to issue the NOCs for the Pakistani players. The frustration stems from the timing of this request; according to Ghimire, the demand was made only after the players had already arrived in Nepal, believing their clearances were in order.
“Our objective in bringing Pakistani players to the NPL is not just to watch them play, but also to invest in the development of Nepali cricket. Nepali cricket is currently in a developmental phase. Under these circumstances, we are disappointed by this last-minute demand for additional funds,” Ghimire stated.
Adding to the confusion, reports from ESPNCricinfo suggest that the PCB might have required a fee in the region of USD 25,000 for each Pakistani player. However, it remains unconfirmed whether this demand was ever formally put in writing to the league organizers. As of now, the PCB has maintained a stony silence and has not issued an official comment on the matter.
Players Caught in the Crossfire
The list of affected Pakistani cricketers includes high-profile names such as Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Usama Mir, Hussain Talat, Haider Ali, and Hunain Shah.
Adding another layer of complexity is the situation of Sahibzada Farhan. While Farhan had already arrived in Nepal to represent the Karnali Yaks, he has been recalled to Pakistan for national team duties. While he is expected to return to the NPL after the national team's match on October 31, the Karnali Yaks are currently searching for a temporary replacement to fill the void.
The Policy Puzzle
This standoff comes at a time when the PCB has been restructuring its approach to T20 leagues. Earlier this year, the board introduced a new central contract system that separates red-ball and white-ball cricket, creating a "Format Track D" specifically for T20 specialists. In theory, this should allow specialists to participate in global leagues as long as they don't clash with international schedules.
However, the PCB has not publicly disclosed which players fall into this category or confirmed if the structure is fully operational. Ironically, none of the Pakistani players slated for the NPL are currently part of Pakistan's Test or ODI plans, making the sudden NOC hold even more perplexing for the organizers in Kathmandu.
NPL Quick Facts:
- Dates: October 26 to November 21
- Venue: TU International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
- Format: 8 teams competing for the title