Under a new policy, English players are banned from participating in overseas leagues during the English summer, casting doubt on the availability of several English cricketers for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL).
According to ESPNcricinfo, English players who were signed in Monday’s PSL draft have sought clarification from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) about whether they will receive No Objection Certificates (NOCs).
The ECB announced the policy last November, stating that NOCs would be denied for overseas leagues taking place during the English summer, such as the PSL, Caribbean Premier League, and Major League Cricket. The only exception is the Indian Premier League (IPL). Players with white-ball contracts can still receive NOCs for competitions that do not overlap with English tournaments like the T20 Blast or the Hundred.
This year, the PSL has shifted to an April-May window to accommodate the Champions Trophy in February-March. This rescheduling means the PSL will clash with the start of the English domestic season for the first time.
“English players are seeking clarity from the ECB over whether they will be granted No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) after they were signed to play in the PSL at Monday’s draft in Lahore,” ESPNcricinfo reported.
Among the English players drafted, Tom Kohler-Cadmore (Peshawar Zalmi), Sam Billings, and Tom Curran (both Lahore Qalandars) were selected on Monday. Moreover, James Vince (Karachi Kings), Chris Jordan, and David Willey (both Multan Sultans) were previously retained by their respective PSL franchises.
