Mohsin Naqvi's PCB Demanding USD 25,000 For Each Pak Player, Alleges Nepal League: Report

Fresh controversy has emerged around the Nepal Premier League (NPL), with a report suggesting that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), under Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, is demanding a fee for issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to its players. The report has said that officials in the Nepal League have alleged that the Pakistan board has requested a fee of around USD 25,000 for each cricketer being cleared to take part in the upcoming tournament.

Several high-profile Pakistani cricketers have signed up for this edition of the NPL. The list includes T20 captain Sahibzada Farhan, alongside experienced international figures like Iftikhar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Haider Ali, Hussain Talat, Usama Mir, and young fast bowler Hunain Shah. With the tournament scheduled to begin soon in Kathmandu, a few of these players have already landed in Nepal to join their respective teams. Others, however, have put their travel plans on hold as they wait for clearance from the PCB, according to Cricinfo.

This sudden payment request has introduced unexpected friction right before the tournament kicks off. At present, it remains unclear whether the financial demand itself has become the main point of conflict, or if formal written communications have taken place regarding the exact condition. The PCB has not yet issued an official statement or response to address these allegations.

The situation leaves the players in a tricky position. None of the cricketers contracted for the NPL are currently assigned to active national duty in Tests or ODIs, meaning there is no schedule clash with Pakistan's international fixtures. Until the board resolves the administrative deadlock and clarifies its stance on the NOC fees, the participation of key Pakistani stars in the Nepal Premier League remains uncertain.

Can PCB Prevent Players From Participating In NPL?

The revamped PCB contract theoretically gave Pakistani cricketers, especially T20 specialists, the freedom to play in as many franchise leagues as they desired, provided the schedule didn't clash with the national team's international calendar. It has to be noted that none of the Pakistani players, a part of the NPL, are part of Pakistan's current ODI and Test teams. In terms of T20Is, Pakistan do not have an immediate assignment scheduled, as yet. 

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