Pakistan players are highly unlikely to appear in the Abu Dhabi T10 after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB, the country’s cricket governing body) refused to issue No-Objection Certificates—clearance letters players need to join overseas leagues—unless the league pays USD $10,000 for each certificate.
The late demand has left franchises choosing between paying the fee and signing other players. The tournament is scheduled to start on November 7.
Why the clearances stalled
League organisers applied for the NOCs soon after the player draft on September 30, officials said. The PCB only passed on the USD $10,000 condition at the start of this week—days before the opening fixtures.
Sixteen cricketers from Pakistan were selected by five of the six sides. Among those named in the draft pool were Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan and Azam Khan. Reports say some players were ready to settle the charge from their own salaries if owners refused. Mediation efforts have not unlocked the clearances, and teams are now looking at replacements.
Echo of the Nepal Premier League dispute
Last month the PCB withheld NOCs for the Nepal Premier League and asked for USD $25,000 per player. Hussain Talat and Jahandad Khan did continue in that competition, but most of the Pakistan contingent returned without playing.
The board has applied an on-and-off practice of charging for NOCs for franchise leagues in recent years. The approach first became a public point of friction around the launch of the ILT20 in the UAE.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- September 30: Abu Dhabi T10 holds its player draft; 16 Pakistan cricketers are picked by five of six teams, and organisers soon seek NOCs.
- Last month: The PCB withholds NOCs for the Nepal Premier League, seeking USD $25,000 per player; only Hussain Talat and Jahandad Khan among the named Pakistan group continue to play.
- Start of this week: The PCB tells the Abu Dhabi T10 side it wants USD $10,000 for each NOC.
- November 7: The Abu Dhabi T10 is due to begin, with Pakistan participation still blocked unless the fee is paid.
What happens next
Unless franchises or players meet the PCB’s condition, or the board revises its stance, Pakistan names drafted for the Abu Dhabi T10 are expected to stay out. Teams are already preparing substitutes so the competition can go ahead on schedule.
Aasan alfaaz mein
PCB ne Abu Dhabi T10 ke liye har Pakistani player ki NOC par 10,000 dollar maang liye hain. Bina is permission ke khilari league mein nahi khel sakte. Draft mein 16 Pakistani players select hue the, lekin ab unka khelna mushkil lag raha hai. Tournament 7 November se shuru hona hai, is liye teams dusre players dhoond rahi hain.
