PCB Contemplates Contract Reviews & Two-NOCs Enforcement After Pakistan’s Early T20 World Cup 2024 Exit

Pakistan were knocked out of the race to the Super 8 stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 on June 14 (Friday) after the match between USA and Ireland was abandoned due to wet outfield. Following their early exit from the T20 World Cup, Pakistan cricketers risk having their central contracts reviewed and their salaries potentially reduced by the country’s apex cricketing body Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as per a report run by PTI. They faced defeat to tournament’s co-host USA and then they lost to arch-rivals India after being in a dominant position to win the game.

According to PTI, a reliable source within the PCB stated that some officials and former players have advised PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to reassess the central contracts awarded to players during his predecessor Zaka Ashraf’s tenure.

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“There could be a reassessment of the central contracts and the players could find their salaries and fees being cut if the Chairman decides to react strongly to the team’s recent woeful performances,” the source said as quoted by PTI.

“Nothing is final as yet but yes this strong measure has been discussed within the board with the Chairman,” the source added.

PCB To Enforce Two-NOCs Policy Following Pakistan’s Failures In T20 World Cup 2024

Additionally, following the national team’s disappointing performance and first-round exit in the T20 World Cup, the PCB will strictly enforce its two-NOCs policy for T20 leagues.

All players who sign central and domestic contracts with Pakistan cricket must adhere to a clause stating that a player can only be issued a NOC for a maximum of two overseas leagues per year, in addition to playing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The board has not yet granted NOCs to young cricketers Azam Khan and Saim Ayub to participate in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), despite both being retained by their respective teams for this season. Both Azam and Saim are included in Pakistan’s World Cup squad.

“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 in the board said as per PTI.

The board also retains the authority to deny any NOC if it determines that the player’s workload and fitness are at risk and deems it necessary for the player to participate in domestic matches.

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According to the source, as quoted by PTI, in a recent instance involving Pakistan leg-spinner Usama Mir, who signed contracts to play in the Vitality Blast and The Hundred in England, he was informed that he had already reached his limit of two leagues for the year.

“Mir took the argument that since he was free of any international commitments and there was no domestic event he should be allowed to play in England, he was told in clear terms this is not for him but for the board to decide,” the PTI source said.

The board has recently emphasised to all other cricket boards and their franchises organising T20 leagues that signing a player without a PCB-issued NOC would be at their own risk.