PCB Reaches Agreement With Abu Dhabi T10 League Over Player NOCs
The PCB has resolved its dispute with Abu Dhabi T10 organizers, securing up to $200,000 in compensation and facilities, clearing the way for 16 Pakistani cricketers to feature in the tournament starting November 7.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reached an agreement with the organizers of the Abu Dhabi T10 League over the issuance of No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for Pakistani cricketers, clearing the way for players to take part in the tournament beginning November 7. Under the arrangement, the league organizers will provide the PCB with compensation and facilities worth up to $200,000.
The breakthrough followed requests from several franchises and players who had approached the board seeking NOCs. The PCB then discussed the matter with relevant authorities and reviewed the requests to arrive at an amicable solution. The agreement ends a standoff that had briefly cast doubt over Pakistani participation just days before the event.
A total of 16 Pakistani cricketers were picked by five of the six teams in the player draft held on September 30. Salman Irshad was selected by Arabian Aces, while Emirates Eagles chose Akif Javed, Hasan Nawaz and Ali Raza. Naseem Shah was drafted by Royal Desert Champions.
UAE Bulls secured Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Khawaja Nafay, Khushdil Shah, Azam Khan and Mohammad Wasim Jr, while United Tigers picked Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Sufyan Moqeem and Abbas Afridi.
Earlier reports indicated that the PCB had withheld the NOCs and sought $10,000 per player, a demand communicated only at the start of this week even though NOC applications were submitted soon after the draft. The late request left franchises facing extra costs or the prospect of replacing their Pakistani players, with some cricketers reportedly willing to cover the fees from their own salaries.
The resolution follows a similar dispute involving the Nepal Premier League last month, when the PCB reportedly sought $25,000 per player for NOCs, and several Pakistani cricketers returned without playing a match. The board's policy on charging NOC fees for overseas franchise leagues has varied in recent years, with the issue first emerging around the launch of the International League T20.
