The process by which the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) granted its players’ NOCs to enable them to compete in the lucrative tournaments had been shrouded in mystery. During the next few months, there will be a lot of cricket activity. There will be a number of franchise leagues operating alongside one another in addition to some intriguing international series in the near future.
On Friday, January 19, the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and International League T20 (ILT20) will begin. These competitions will include some of the best cricket players in the globe.
After just recovering from injuries, the pace troika of Shadab Khan, Ihsanullah, Mohammad Hasnain, and seasoned all-rounder Naseem Shah asked to play in the BPL. Mohammad Hafeez, the director of Pakistan’s squad, had asked the PCB to make sure the players in question play in at least one of the current President Trophy matches in Karachi. The players were then invited to participate in the first-class competition by the cricket governing board.
Naseem, Ihsanullah, Hasnain, and Shadab weren’t listed among the players authorized for the BPL, though, when the PCB stated that NOCs will be issued to the players.
After getting hurt in his shoulder during the Asia Cup the previous year, Naseem had surgery in London. He was not there for the ongoing T20I series in New Zealand, the three-match Test series in Australia, or the ODI World Cup.
Prior to suffering injuries, Hasnain and Ihsanullah, respectively, represented Pakistan in January and April of 2023. Shadab participated in the World Cup, but due to an ankle injury sustained during the National T20 Championship towards the end of last year, he was unable to travel to Australia or New Zealand.
NOCs are given to Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, and Haris Rauf.
Experienced players like Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, and Babar Azam received NOCs from PCB to participate in the BPL and ILT20. At present, these players are playing for the ‘Men in Green’ in the five-match Twenty20 International series against New Zealand.
With two games remaining, the Kiwis have already secured a 3-0 victory in the series. The last two Twenty20 Internationals will be played in Christchurch, where the two teams are now located.