Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to address the ongoing concerns related to No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for players participating in franchise based T20 leagues. The PCB recently revoked NOCs for certain players, including young wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Haris, during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2024.
A few players are feeling left out because they haven’t received NOCs- Salman Butt
In a YouTube video, Salman Butt expressed his views on the situation, comparing it to an “unfair distribution of wealth” within a family. He highlighted
“The preferential treatment given to some players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Shadab Khan, who were allowed to participate in the International League T20 (ILT20) and the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL),”
Salman Butt emphasized the need for a solution to the NOC issue, stating,
“A few players are feeling left out because they haven’t received NOCs, whereas some other players have. This is an issue that needs to be solved.”
Watch- Salman Butt furious on PCB
PCB to Address NOC Disparities in Franchise Leagues- Urges Salman Butt
Besides Mohammad Haris, players like Iftikhar Ahmed, Saim Ayub, and Fakhar Zaman were also denied NOCs, despite their participation in two T20 leagues since August 2023.
Mohammad Haris, who was part of the Chattogram Challengers in the BPL, expressed his disappointment after the NOC was not issued, preventing him from playing in the competition. In a message, he thanked the team management and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for the opportunity but confirmed his unavailability for the tournament.
Pakistan’s cricketing decisions have faced scrutiny, particularly after a series of poor performances, including a 4-1 defeat in the T20I series against New Zealand. Salman Butt’s call for addressing the NOC issues reflects concerns about fairness and transparency in player participation in T20 leagues. The PCB will likely face pressure to establish a more consistent and equitable approach to NOC approvals for players in the future.