CSA T20 League: Pakistani Players in Foreign Leagues: Days after Pakistan Cricket Board restricted players to three NOCs a year, they are facing a big setback. IPL franchises with teams in UAE T20 League and South Africa T20 League are set to close the door on the likes of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan & Shaheen Afridi. The IPL team owners fear retaliation from fans in India besides the complexities in getting Pak players have made them say no. Follow ILT20 & CSA T20 League LIVE Updates with InsideSport.IN.
“No, we are not considering Pakistani players. There are way too many obstacles to go for Pakistani players. First, it’s a hard negotiation with the board to get them on board and allow them NOC. Then, comes the backlash of it. I don’t think any fans in India will be happy with their playing for us,” a franchise official with teams in both UAE & South Africa leagues told InsideSport.
CSA T20 League: Big setback for Pakistan cricketers, IPL team owners in Cricket South Africa T20 League declares ‘Pakistan players not welcome’: CHECK OUT
CSA T20 League: Why IPL franchises don’t want Pakistan players?
- IPL franchises are wary of fan backlash in India.
- The other factor that goes against recruiting Pakistani players is the problem with NOC.
- PCB allows Babar Azam & Co three NOCs every year apart from PSL.
- This is the reason Babar Azam was ignored at The Hundred draft.
- With PSL set to be played immediately after UAE T20 League and could clash with CSA T20 league, PCB may not allow them NOC.
- However, Glazers family-backed franchise in the UAE League is currently negotiating with Pakistani players.
It is not about one franchise though, all team owners of IPL franchises have decided to ignore some of the best Pakistani players. An IPL franchise official with team in the UAE league said they are not considering any player from Pakistan.
“It’s an investment and there is a lot at stake in every business. No one would want to hurt the sentiments of the customers. In this case, Indian fans are the biggest customers for us. We have decided not to pursue any Pakistani talent. They have some of the best players in the world but it’s not in our best interest,” the franchise official told InsideSport.
CSA T20 League: Big setback for Pakistan cricketers, IPL team owners in Cricket South Africa T20 League declares ‘Pakistan players not welcome’: CHECK OUT
Instead, Indian franchises have requested the BCCI to allow non-contracted Indian players to play in franchise leagues abroad. Players without any state or central contract may take part in the UAE and South Africa T20 League. However, a decision in this regard will be taken only at the BCCI AGM in September.
IPL franchises in foreign leagues:
- Mumbai Indians: CSA T20 League, UAE T20 League
- Kolkata Knight Riders: Caribbean Premier League, UAE T20 League, USA
- Rajasthan Royals: CSA T20 League, CPL
- Lucknow Super Giants: CSA T20 League
- Delhi Capitals: UAE T20 League, CSA T20 League
- Punjab Kings: CPL
- Sunrisers Hyderabad: CSA T20 League
- Chennai Super Kings: CSA T20 League
CSA T20 League: Big setback for Pakistan cricketers, IPL team owners in Cricket South Africa T20 League declares ‘Pakistan players not welcome’: CHECK OUT
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