The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) reported US$25,000 no-objection certificate (NOC) requirement has left six of the seven announced Pakistani players unable to feature in the third season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), forcing franchises to replace international signings after the tournament had already begun.
Only Hussain Talat, representing Karnali Yaks, has been able to participate, while several other players travelled to Kathmandu without ultimately taking the field. According to a report by The Kathmandu Post, the disruption has affected multiple NPL teams, with franchise officials raising concerns about recruitment costs, contractual uncertainty and the longer-term implications for attracting Pakistani cricketers.
As previously reported by cricexec, the PCB had reportedly placed player permissions on hold ahead of the tournament, with individuals associated with the competition alleging a US$25,000 requirement for each player’s clearance. The latest developments have resulted in withdrawals, replacement signings and additional expenses for franchise operators.
Six Pakistani players miss out as NPL franchises lose key signings
Karnali Yaks managed to secure clearance for Talat but lost Pakistan T20I Captain Sahibzada Farhan, who returned home after arriving in Kathmandu.
Farhan’s departure came despite reports that Karnali had been prepared to meet the financial requirement associated with his clearance.
Janakpur Bolts faced a similar setback with Iftikhar Ahmed and Hunain Shah. Both players reached Nepal and joined the franchise but were unable to participate in matches.
Janakpur Bolts Chief Executive Officer Niroj Khatiwada told The Kathmandu Post, “They \[Ahmed and Shah\] are still in Kathmandu, but it is certain they will not play for Janakpur.”
The two players were present with the squad at TU International Cricket Ground during Janakpur’s match against Karnali, although neither was available for selection.
Sudurpaschim Royals were also unable to field Haider Ali, while Chitwan Rhinos lost access to Pakistani signings Usama Mir and Hasan Ali.
Mir had already arrived in Kathmandu before the clearance issue prevented his participation.
The absence of these players reduced the overseas options available to several franchises at a stage when squad combinations and match preparations had already been established.
Emergency replacements create operational and financial pressure
Chitwan Rhinos were among the teams forced to respond immediately to the disruption.
The franchise recruited Tom Taylor and Daniel Richard Mousley, who arrived at the ground directly from the airport for Chitwan’s Tuesday fixture against Biratnagar Kings.
Janakpur Bolts also began searching for alternative overseas players while retaining Ahmed and Shah in Nepal temporarily.
Khatiwada said, “We have searched for their replacements. We will have eight foreign players by the time we enter the ground for our Thursday’s fixture against Kathmandu Gorkhas.”
The timing of the NOC dispute has created complications beyond finding replacement cricketers.
Janakpur’s arrangements with Ahmed and Shah were based on match appearances, meaning the franchise would not be liable for match payments if the players did not compete. However, the club remained responsible for costs associated with their stay and return travel.
Khatiwada added, “However, we will be covering their travel and accommodation until they are in Nepal and return to Pakistan.”
The franchise also intended to involve the two players in additional training sessions, allowing younger squad members to benefit from their experience before they departed.
For NPL teams operating in a developing franchise market, the episode has exposed the financial risks of international recruitment when administrative clearance remains unresolved close to the start of a competition.
PCB NOC policy faces scrutiny over reported US$25,000 fee
The PCB’s NOC system regulates the participation of Pakistani cricketers in overseas franchise competitions.
Under its 2020 NOC Guide, players are generally limited to three foreign leagues annually, excluding the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The board retains authority over approvals, including considerations relating to international commitments, player availability and workload.
However, the published guide does not specify a US$25,000 payment as a condition for granting overseas league permission.
That distinction has become central to the dispute in Nepal, where franchises have reportedly faced the financial requirement after signing Pakistani players.
The reported demand has not prevented all Pakistani cricketers from competing internationally. Around 40 players had reportedly received NOCs for various overseas leagues during 2026 as of August 8.
The immediate concern for NPL operators is therefore not simply whether the PCB can regulate overseas participation, but how and when additional conditions are communicated to franchises that have already made recruitment commitments.
As previously reported by cricexec, similar concerns arose in Major League Cricket (MLC), where franchise owners questioned a reported US$25,000 charge connected to Pakistani player clearances.
The issue resurfaced during the 2026 MLC season, extending questions about the predictability of the PCB’s approval process beyond the Nepalese competition.
An expert associated with Major League Cricket, speaking to The Kathmandu Post, criticised the disruption caused by requirements communicated late in the recruitment process. The expert argued that players without conflicting national or domestic commitments should be able to participate in recognised overseas competitions and that financial conditions should be made clear before franchises finalise their plans.
Kathmandu Gorkhas reveal another Pakistani signing affected
The impact of the NOC dispute has extended beyond the seven Pakistani players whose involvement had already been announced.
Kathmandu Gorkhas disclosed that the franchise had secured an additional Pakistani signing but had not publicly identified the player because of the unresolved clearance situation.
Kathmandu Gorkhas Operations Head Shrawan Bahadur Singh said, “We have also signed a Pakistani player, but have not been able to announce due to the NOC issue.”
The disclosure suggests the dispute has also affected recruitment plans that had not yet reached the public announcement stage.
Franchise officials indicated that other Pakistani players had been under consideration for the tournament, including potentially higher-profile names. Those recruitment plans have become difficult to pursue while uncertainty remains over the approval requirements.
For teams looking to build international appeal through overseas signings, the consequences extend to squad planning, promotional activity and relationships with player representatives.
Cricket Association of Nepal puts responsibility on franchises
The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has indicated that individual franchises are responsible for meeting the requirements of the boards governing their overseas signings.
CAN Secretary Paras Khadka told Kantipur, “If the franchises fulfil the rules of PCB, which is essential, Pakistani players can play.”
CAN President Chatur Bahadur Chand has also indicated that teams must negotiate the necessary permissions with the PCB and complete the applicable procedures.
That position leaves NPL franchises managing the practical and financial implications of obtaining player clearances while working within the rules imposed by foreign cricket boards.
The controversy has also highlighted differences in the recruitment experience across countries.
NPL teams have continued to attract players from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, while franchise officials say the difficulties involving Pakistani cricketers could influence future signing decisions.
Franchise executives warn of damage to NPL’s international appeal
The NPL’s third season has attracted growing interest from international players, with franchises investing in overseas talent to improve playing standards and strengthen the tournament’s profile.
The loss of established Pakistani cricketers has therefore been felt beyond the affected squads.
Khatiwada said, “In a broader context, it is a big blow for overall Nepali cricket.”
Pakistan has a substantial cricket following in Nepal, making players such as Farhan, Ahmed and Hasan Ali potentially valuable additions both on the field and in attracting supporters.
Pakistani cricketers have previously participated in the competition without the same reported financial requirement. Former Pakistan international Sohail Tanvir featured in the NPL’s first two seasons for Chitwan Rhinos and is serving as the franchise’s Head Coach in the third season.
The latest restrictions have prompted some franchise officials to reconsider how they approach Pakistani signings for future editions, particularly when the availability of a player cannot be guaranteed until shortly before the tournament.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who attended the NPL’s opening events as a cricket analyst, expressed optimism that the matter could be resolved.
Speaking during the NPL preview on Himalaya Sports, Akhtar said, “I am sure they are able to resolve the matter. Pakistan is always out there to help the younger generations such as Nepal. I don’t know about the NOC matter, I think it is up to the board. I am sure Pakistan will look into this matter and I think they will allow players for the next year. Hopefully.”
NPL franchises push for overseas-player draft to control costs
Alongside the immediate NOC dispute, franchise executives have renewed calls for changes to how the Nepal Premier League recruits international players.
One proposal is the introduction of a formal overseas-player draft, which could establish clearer spending limits and provide teams with greater certainty when assembling their squads.
The argument reflects wider financial pressures as the NPL expands its international profile and attracts more established cricketers.
Khatiwada said, “Many foreign players’ agents demand more money every season as there is no guideline to how much a franchise can spend on overseas stars. If there is a draft system, it would ensure a cap on the players based on their caliber, making it easier for franchises in many ways.”
Singh has also supported the proposal, arguing that a draft would help franchises establish their overseas recruitment budgets in advance. Any decision to introduce such a system would rest with CAN.
A draft could provide greater control over player expenditure, although it would not itself eliminate the requirement for overseas cricketers to obtain permission from their national boards.
For NPL franchises, the immediate challenge remains completing the current season with revised squads. The longer-term question is whether recruitment procedures can become sufficiently predictable to prevent similar last-minute disruptions as the league continues to expand its international ambitions.
