At least two Pakistani cricketers, Iftikhar Ahmed and Hussain Shah, have returned home after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the country’s cricket governing body, did not grant them no-objection certificates (NOCs)—official clearances to play abroad—for the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL).
Signed for Janakpur, unable to take the field
Both players had been signed by Janakpur Bolts and had already travelled to Nepal. They were present with the squad for its opening match but could not appear in the playing XI without PCB clearance.
Janakpur CEO Niroj Khatiwada said the club contacted the PCB by email and received no positive response. That lack of clearance pushed the franchise to look for other overseas options so the campaign could continue.
Bangladesh replacements arrive
Janakpur has since signed Bangladesh batters Saif Hassan and Parvez Hossain Emon. The two arrived in Nepal on Wednesday night as the club moved to fill the gaps left by the Pakistan pair.
Claims circulating earlier suggested the PCB was seeking USD 25,000 per player for NPL participation. Khatiwada said that figure reached the club through an agent and made clear that the board had not directly demanded the amount from Janakpur.
Players thank hosts before departure
Before leaving, the Pakistani players posted on social media to thank Nepali fans and organisers for their hospitality. The episode leaves Janakpur with a reshaped overseas group while the NPL’s third season continues without the two PCB-cleared Pakistan names on the field.
For Pakistan cricket followers, the case underlines how overseas franchise stints still depend on timely board clearances, even when a player has already signed and reported to a foreign league.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Iftikhar Ahmed aur Hussain Shah Nepal Premier League ke liye NOC nahi milne ki wajah se wapas aa gaye. Woh Janakpur Bolts ke saath Nepal pahunch chuke thay lekin pehle match mein khel nahi sake. Club ne PCB ko email kiya, jawab theek nahi aaya, is liye Bangladesh ke do players sign kar liye. Fans ke liye seedhi baat yeh hai ke PCB ki ijazat ke baghair Pakistani players bahir ke leagues mein field par nahi utar sakte.
