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PCB To Enforce Strict T20-NoC Policy After Babar Azam & Co's T20 World Cup 2024 Exit

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Pakistan team in T20 World Cup 2024 [AP]

Following a disappointing performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where Pakistan failed to advance past the group stage, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a stringent review of player contracts and its two-No Objection Certificate (NOC) policy for T20 leagues.

In Group A, Pakistan's campaign ended prematurely with only one win and two embarrassing defeats. This left them third on the table with just two points, while the USA and India advanced to the Super Eight.

In response, the PCB has decided to enforce its two-NOCs policy more rigorously. According to this policy, players with central and domestic contracts in Pakistan cricket are limited to participating in a maximum of two overseas leagues per year, in addition to the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Notably, young talents Azam Khan and Saim Ayub, who were part of the World Cup squad, have not yet received NOCs to play in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), despite being retained by their respective teams. This move underscores the board's commitment to the policy.

An official source within the PCB emphasised that this policy applies uniformly to both centrally and domestically contracted players. The board also retains the discretion to deny any NOC if it deems a player's workload or fitness could be compromised or if the player is needed for domestic commitments.

“The other players have also been given a clear message that the two NOC’s rule applies to both centrally and domestic contracted players and the board also reserves the right to turn down any NOC request from any player,” an official source said.

This stance was recently exemplified in the case of leg-spinner Usama Mir, who was denied permission to participate in England's Vitality Blast and The Hundred after exceeding his quota of two leagues for the year. Despite Mir's argument of being free from international duties, the board maintained its authority over such decisions.

The PCB has communicated to other cricket boards and T20 league franchises that any contracts signed without an official NOC from the PCB will be at their own risk. This firm approach follows Pakistan's confirmed elimination from the T20 World Cup after the USA joined India in the Super Eight round.