PCB considers restricting players' participation in global leagues: sources

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering to cut the wings of its contracted players by limiting their participation in global leagues and making a certain number of games of domestic cricket mandatory.

Reliable sources in PCB informed Geo.tv that a policy, which will make it necessary for all contracted players to participate in at least three domestic tournaments each season, is under consideration at the PCB.

Many fear that this move is likely to curtail the participation of Pakistani cricketers in global leagues such as the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League, in which, a large number of Pakistani players participated.

The move, sources believe, came into consideration after the criticism PCB faced over calling players back from CPL for National T20 and fitness tests; once players were here, the National T20 was called off and players were allowed to rejoin CPL teams after fitness tests were conducted in Lahore.

“Players were clearly unhappy with that and some expressed their displeasure over the unprofessional approach of the concerned department,” said a source.

Sources fear that any attempt to restrict leagues’ assignments may lead to a serious conflict between the board and players.

“We have seen how in other countries players have backed out of their national contracts to continue with their league careers. With leagues popping up from different parts of the world and providing great financial incentives to players, it looks very difficult for any board to stop players from participating in leagues,” the source added.

The source also fears that any such attempt can also dent PCB’s relationship with other boards.

“Now imagine that the Global T20 league is underway in November and PCB schedules the National T20 in November too. How will PCB stop players from going to South Africa, especially after South Africa sent five players to support Pakistan’s cause of international cricket at home,” the source said.

The situation, it seems, is turning to be catch-22 for Pakistan Cricket Board.