The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to put a restriction on its centrally contracted players from participating in more than two domestic leagues each season, including the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
The decision has been taken in order to not only increase participation in local domestic competitions but also to improve the quality of domestic cricket. Chairman Najam Sethi informed that the decision was taken by a PCB committee.
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New Policy For NOC
The non-objection certificate (NOC) to play in a foreign tournament is a certificate issued by the board for the players if they meet certain criteria. According to ICC:
In determining whether to issue a no-objection certificate, members shall act in accordance with their obligations as custodians of the sport, and shall comply with all applicable laws relating to the proper exercise of regulatory powers by a sports governing body.
The PCB has redefined its parameters for issuing NOCs for non-contracted and retired players, which are mentioned as below.
- For Non-Contracted Players
The non-contracted players can now avail NOC certificate for foreign leagues but they are bound to play at least three first-class matches.
PCB does not bound the retired cricketers to obtain NOC. However, according to ICC rules, the retired players are bound to obtain one in two years of their retirement.
In case a case presents itself for which rules have not been laid out, then a four-member committee which comprises of Chairman, Chief Selector, Head Coach Pakistan Team and Director Cricket Operations will decide to issue NOC for players wishing to participate in any additional league.
Additional Important Decisions Endorsed By the PCB Chairman
- Rules for holding private league(s) have been made elaborately clear to the applicant(s) for clear understanding and applicant(s) will have to fully abide by the rules made for granting permission to hold private league(s) before issuing any NOC(s) to them. The rules will be circulated shortly to all parties who have shown interest in holding private tournaments involving current players.
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- There will be no change in the existing domestic cricket structure adopted in the cricket season 2017/18 and it will continue to be implemented in the forthcoming season 2018/19 with one amendment: a one-day tournament would also be held alongside four-day first-class tournament with one day rest in between four-day and one-day matches.
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- Eight Regions and eight Departments will play first-class cricket in a combined Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (QAT) tournament. The bottom-ranked team among Regions i.e. Faisalabad from 2017-18 QAT will be relegated to QAT Grade II and in its place, the top-ranked region team of Grade II 2017/18 winner of QAT will be promoted to first-class cricket for season 2018-19.
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- Likewise, the bottom-ranked team among departments i.e. National Bank of Pakistan from 2017-18 QAT will be relegated to Patron’s Trophy Grade II and in its place, the top-ranked department team of Patron’s Trophy Grade II i.e. ZTBL will be promoted to first-class cricket for season 2018-19.
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- Domestic players match fees would be enhanced in order to financially strengthen regional players to bring them at par with the departmental players. The monthly retainership amount being paid to domestic players as per current policy will be diverted towards domestic players match fee enhancement.
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- The organization of PCB controlled club cricket at districts level will be outsourced. This tournament will be in addition to the mandatory requirement of districts to organize two club-level tournaments.
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- The number of teams participating in Patrons Trophy Grade II in 2018/19 will be reduced to 16 to bring quality and competitiveness in Patrons Trophy Grade II level. This will be done on the basis of more stringent criteria for qualification of teams to play Patrons Trophy Grade II.
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- Shakil Shaikh, the adviser to the Chairman, has been given the task to visit all the first-class centers and submit a report on pitches and infrastructures along with recommendations to upgrade the existing pitches and facilities within next 30 days. Director Academies Mudassar Nazar or Director Cricket Operations Haroon Rashid may accompany him during these visits.
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