Major League Cricket (MLC) franchises are reportedly considering avoiding the signing of Pakistan players in future editions over concerns regarding the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) No-Objection Certificate (NOC) policy.
According to sources, the franchises are frustrated by what they describe as an uncertain and expensive NOC process, which they believe ‘is total extortion’.
Franchises allege a $25,000 NOC fee
Pakistan are alleged to have demanded $25,000 per player for an NOC. Besides the fee itself, franchises are reportedly unhappy with the timing of the demand, which they claim usually comes only a week before the tournament begins.
“It’s more the extortion the PCB does. Basically, throughout the year, they won’t say anything. And then right towards the start of the tournament, when they have to give their NOCs, they send an email saying that for the NOC, it will be $25,000 for each player.”
A source further alleged that during one instance in the league’s second edition, the payment was demanded just hours before a match.
“There were four Pakistani players for one of the teams, but the PCB forgot about the fourth player and asked for three payments of $25,000. They then extorted another $25,000 for the fourth player for an NOC just a few hours before a match was to be played.”
“That team was wiring the money to the PCB and asking for the NOC. The PCB stated don’t worry about the NOC, if your money comes and hits our bank account before the first ball is bowled, we’ll take care of the NOC for you.”
Franchises raise concerns with PCB
The report further claims that MLC franchises approached PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi to raise concerns over the fee structure and its implementation. However, they were allegedly told that the charges were a legitimate source of revenue for the board.
“We’ve talked to Mohsin Naqvi as well and said to him that this is extortion. This is not the right way to do it. But we were told by the Board that this is their revenue and their right to ask for this money.”
Fresh NOC could require another payment
The source also alleged that the PCB has the right to revoke an NOC anytime during the tournament, despite the fee. This forces the franchises to submit a fresh application and pay the same fee again.
“The PCB can technically revoke the NOC in the middle of the season, for whatever reason they like. Then the franchises have to apply for another NOC, and every time the PCB gives you an NOC, they’ll charge us $25,000. The rule they have said is that it’s $25,000 per NOC. Even if they revoke the NOC after they’ve given it, it’s still $25,000.”
Only Haris Rauf features in MLC this season
In the ongoing MLC season, Haris Rauf is the only Pakistan player in the competition, representing the San Francisco Unicorns. The franchise is understood to have paid the NOC fee for the fast bowler, who has been with the Unicorns since the inaugural season.
The source believes the uncertainty surrounding the NOC process has become one of the main reasons franchises are reluctant to sign Pakistani players.
“One of the reasons teams at the MLC don’t sign Pakistani players is because we don’t like the uncertainty around all of this. Every season there is this uncertainty looming regarding paying this money,” the source said.
“No other Board asks the MLC teams for these additional payments. The franchises run on budgets and suddenly they are expected to free up a chunk of their budget from somewhere to pay for this. That’s never good. The franchises need to plan for the season properly and not have this situation hanging over them.”
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