Nepal Premier League Franchises Hit by PCB NOC Demands
The Pakistan Cricket Board’s reported demand of $25,000 per player for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) has disrupted the Nepal Premier League, leaving several franchises without their Pakistani signings despite deals finalised before the tournament. The PCB NOC Nepal Premier League dispute is now a playing issue, not just a paperwork row: four franchises signed seven Pakistani cricketers for the league’s third season, but only Hussain Talat, representing Karnali Yaks, managed to take part.
The development is a direct update to Feature Pakistan’s earlier report that the PCB had put Pakistan players’ Nepal Premier League participation on hold. At that stage the $25,000 fee was reported but unverified, and the PCB had not commented. The tournament has now started, and the outcome for the seven signings is clear.
PCB NOC Nepal Premier League: who missed out
Janakpur Bolts were among the affected franchises after Iftikhar Ahmed and Hunain Shah were unable to play despite arriving in Kathmandu. Both players were present with the squad during Tuesday’s match against Karnali Yaks but remained on the bench.
“This is definitely a disappointment for us. In a broader context, it is a big blow for overall Nepali cricket,” Janakpur Bolts chief executive Niroj Khatiwada told the Kathmandu Post. Khatiwada confirmed that neither player would represent the franchise this season. Both will remain in Nepal briefly to attend training sessions and share their experience with younger players.
The franchise will cover their travel and accommodation expenses but will not pay match fees, as their agreements were based on appearances.
Other franchises have also been affected. Karnali Yaks secured clearance for Hussain Talat but had to send back Sahibzada Farhan, while Sudurpaschim Royals were unable to field Haider Ali. Chitwan Rhinos also lost Usama Mir and Hassan Ali due to the NOC issue. Mir had already arrived in Kathmandu before being ruled out, forcing the franchise to bring in Tom Taylor and Daniel Richard Mousley as replacements.
Kathmandu Gorkhas operations head Shrawan Bahadur Singh also revealed that the franchise had signed another Pakistani player but had not announced the deal because of uncertainty surrounding the NOC requirement.
A policy gap at the centre of the row
The PCB has had an NOC policy in place since 2020, but its publicly available guidelines do not mention a $25,000 payment requirement for participation in foreign franchise leagues. Pakistani players have continued to receive clearance for overseas competitions, with PCB records showing that around 40 players had been granted NOCs for various leagues in 2026 as of August 8.
A similar dispute previously affected Major League Cricket in the United States in 2023 and again in 2026, when the PCB’s reported $25,000 demand created uncertainty over Pakistani players’ participation.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, speaking during the league’s opening-day coverage, expressed hope that the matter would be resolved before the next season. “I am sure Pakistan will look into this matter and I think they will allow players for the next year. Hopefully,” Akhtar said.
Meanwhile, Cricket Association of Nepal officials have maintained that franchises are responsible for negotiating with the PCB and completing the necessary clearance procedures. The dispute has also prompted league teams to reconsider future Pakistani signings, while franchise officials have called for a foreign-player draft system to control recruitment costs and make financial planning easier.
For the franchises, the damage this season is already done. Deals were signed, players travelled, and replacements had to be arranged at short notice. The question for next season is whether the PCB sets out its NOC terms in public, so franchises and players know where they stand before contracts are signed.
Frequently asked questions
How many Pakistani players signed for the Nepal Premier League?
Four franchises signed seven Pakistani cricketers for the league’s third season.
Who was the only Pakistani to play?
Hussain Talat, representing Karnali Yaks, was the only one of the seven to take part.
Which players missed out?
Iftikhar Ahmed and Hunain Shah (Janakpur Bolts), Sahibzada Farhan (Karnali Yaks), Haider Ali (Sudurpaschim Royals), and Usama Mir and Hassan Ali (Chitwan Rhinos).
What is the PCB’s reported NOC demand?
A reported $25,000 per player, a figure that does not appear in the PCB’s publicly available NOC guidelines, which have been in place since 2020.
