The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management is expected to grant permission to national players for their involvement in the highly anticipated second edition of the International League T20 (ILT20). This decision comes after previous restrictions imposed by former PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja, who had declined to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for players to participate in the league. However, the current management, led by Najam Sethi, has expressed a positive outlook due to the strong cricketing ties between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to media reports, Najam Sethi, a key figure in the PCB, has confirmed that the cricket board holds no objection to players taking part in ILT20. This decision is based on the long-standing cricketing relationship between Pakistan and the UAE, making it conducive for players to engage in the league.
In the previous edition of ILT20, players were unable to participate due to the reluctance of the former PCB Chairman. Ramiz Raja had demanded compensation from the Emirates Cricket Board in return for releasing centrally contracted players for the league. This led to renowned players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan being denied the opportunity to represent their respective franchises, despite lucrative offers that included captaincy roles and a substantial sum of USD 900,000.
The ILT20 franchises had shown interest in recruiting other talented players such as Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Hasnain. However, the NOC not granted to Azam Khan, who had picked by the Desert Vipers for the league.
The inaugural edition of ILT20 took place in January earlier this year in the UAE, with the Gulf Giants emerging as the champions. This successful tournament further solidified the cricketing bond between Pakistan and the UAE.
It is worth mentioning that the PCB’s previous decision to refuse NOCs for players like Mohammad Hasnain, asked to participate in the National Cup instead of the Lanka Premier League (LPL), highlights the board’s emphasis on domestic cricket and player development.
The PCB’s inclination to grant permission for national players to participate in the second edition of ILT20 signals a positive shift in their approach. The assurance of a strong cricketing relationship with the UAE and the potential benefits for players’ growth and exposure are driving factors behind this decision. Cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the upcoming ILT20, where Pakistani players anticipated to showcase their skills on the international stage, alongside renowned cricketers from around the world.
 management is expected to grant permission to national players for their involvement in the highly anticipated second edition of the International League T20 (ILT20).){kind=link}