Pakistani cricketers are unlikely to feature in the forthcoming Dhaka Premier League after an ICC move made provincial clearance invalid for any cricketers willing to participate in a foreign league, said the officials on Sunday. ICC sent a letter to the BCB last month, making a No Objection Certificate from respective boards mandatory for all players. Clubs said they are still confused if the Pakistan Cricket Board will issue any NOC to any player for the Dhaka Premier League which made them lose interest in bringing Pakistani players.
The PCB did not allow its players to participate in the last edition of the Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 tournament after Bangladesh had postponed its national team’s tour to their troubled country despite a written commitment.
The relation between the PCB and the BCB hit an all time low in the wake of BPL saga and there was no sign of a reconciliation in the last few months. A BCB official on Sunday said they will not make any request to the PCB to give their players an NOC for the Dhaka Premier League.
‘It is up to the individual cricketer to get the NOC from his respective board, why should we ask for it?,’ said Jalal Yunus, a member of the BCB ad hoc committee and chairman of the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis.
‘As far as I know we have not backed out from the stance that we took during the BPL,’ he concluded.
Jalal’s comments came after some clubs requested the Board to take an initiative as they are struggling to get foreign players from other countries.
Reaz Ahmed Babu, cricket secretary of Kalabagan Krira Chakra, said they contacted several Pakistani players but decided against bringing them as the BCB is unwilling to help.
‘We spoke to a few Pakistani cricketers but it seemed none of them will be available,’ said Reaz.
‘They had informed that they cannot obtain any NOC from the PCB whereas the BCB is reluctant to help us,’ he added. ‘In the past they could come with clearance from their respective provincial cricket bodied but now an NOC from the PCB is must as per the ICC directive.’
BCB sources said the ICC had given the directive because of the anti-corruption and anti-doping issue.
‘The ICC would not accept any NOC for foreign cricketers other than the one issued by their respective boards as the clearance from the central board can only assure that the player can be traced if found to be guilty,’ he added.
As the participation of Pakistani players are now uncertain, the clubs are looking for the Sri Lankan cricketers who are free now after the cancellation of their Zimbabwe tour.
However, some top players like Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardane could still be unlikely as they prefer to take a break, said the clubs sources.
Sangakkara said after the Champions League Twenty20 Tournament in India he has personal engagement in the UK while Jayawardene said he is looking for a break after non-stop cricket for the last few months.
-With New Age input
