Kathmandu, October 27
The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has said that uncertainty persists over the participation of Pakistani players in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) because the Pakistan Cricket Board has not issued no-objection certificates (NOCs).
CAN President Chatur Bahadur Chand said the No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for the Pakistani players have not arrived so far. As a result, it remains unclear whether they will play in the NPL.
Speaking to Onlinekhabar, President Chand said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not responded at all on the NOC issue.
“If someone does not give an NOC, we cannot force them to play,” he said. “The NOCs have not arrived so far.”
CAN President Chand said the PCB has taken a step that undermines leagues with franchise potential.
“This sets a wrong precedent,” he said. “It is a game that weakens leagues with franchise potential.”
The PCB had demanded an additional US$25,000 to issue NOCs for the Pakistani players who had come to Nepal to play in the NPL. With this, the participation of Pakistani players in the NPL is, for now, in doubt.
Karnali Yaks, Janakpur Bolts and Chitwan Rhinos had signed Pakistani players.
Sahibzada Farhan, who was signed by Karnali, has already returned home. Another Pakistani signed by Karnali, Hussain Talat, is also unsure whether he will play.
Pakistan’s Iftikhar Ahmed and Hunain Shah had signed with Janakpur. Usama Mir, Hasan Ali and Mohammad Nawaz were with the Chitwan team. With it uncertain whether the signed Pakistani players will be able to play, the franchise teams are struggling to fill their quota of four foreign players.
