LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board will not issue NOCs for any cricket tournaments or events during the holy month of Ramazan due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.
The PCB in a statement clarified its policy and said cricket will remain suspended in the country until the situation returns to normal and until then the board will not issue any permits for Ramazan cricket.
“At this time it is appropriate we follow our overarching policy which states that organised cricket in Pakistan will remain suspended until normalcy returns to society. In this background, the PCB will not issue any NOCs for Ramadan cricket,” said the cricket board.
“These are unprecedented, tough and challenging times for the world as all economic and sporting activities have come to a standstill with sole focus being on health and safety of the people. The PCB strongly urges organisers and cricketers to religiously follow all precautionary measures, including remaining indoors, maintaining social distancing and avoiding gatherings.
The PCB also said that it will ensure and full salaries are paid to professional cricketers and staff during the pandemic till at least the end of the financial year. The board has ensured that monthly salaries are made on time without delay.
“The PCB takes the welfare and wellbeing of its staff and cricketers very seriously. It has around 220 professional cricketers on its payroll apart from its staffers. The PCB will ensure that full player salaries continue to be honoured until at least the end of the 2019-2020 financial year. Furthermore, we have put in place systems to ensure that monthly salaries are paid on time and without delay.
The PCB said that it is monitoring the situation in the country closely as it evolves and will amend its policy when appropriate.
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