PCB refutes reports of ‘NOCs denial to players for BBL, other leagues’

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has denied ESPN Cricinfo‘s report that claimed the cricket board will not allow players to participate in Big Bash League (BBL), UAE International League T20 (ILT20), and other franchise cricket leagues around the world. 

In an official statement, released by the PCB, the cricket board turned down the claims of ESPN Cricinfo, while also terming their story ‘baseless, factually inaccurate and speculative’.

The renowned cricket website asserted that players will not be given No-Objection Certificates (NOC) for lucrative leagues around the world, whether or not they are centrally contracted or not.

“There is a growing sense of frustration among the top players in Pakistan, who feel they are missing out on big monetary gains,” Cricinfo reported.

As a result, the PCB has issued a clarification and claimed that the cricket board allows its players to apply for a maximum of three NOCs per year, excluding the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and is flexible in issuing additional NOCs if these did not coincide with its international series or domestic competitions.

“The PCB is extremely disappointed that a credible, reputable and widely followed media outlet like ESPNCricinfo breached all professional and ethical norms and published the story using inappropriate adjectives, which has the potential to create a crack in the smooth, healthy and cordial relationship between the PCB and all its stakeholders,” PCB’s statement read.

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