The participation of English stars in PSL 2025 is in jeopardy? Players require clarity on NOC from ECB
England players are seeking clarification from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on whether they will receive No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to participate in the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season. They are in discussions with the ECB regarding the NOCs after they were hijacked during the Lahore Draft for the Pakistan Super League 2025 (PSL 2025).
James Vince was retained by Karachi Kings while Chris Jordan and David Willey were also retained by Multan Sultans for the upcoming PSL 2025. On the other hand, Peshawar Zalmi signed Tom Kohler-Cadmore as a draft pick while Sam Billings and Tom Curran were snapped up by Lahore Qalandars in Monday, January 13, for the upcoming season.
England players seek clarity on PSL 2025 NOC from ECB
Well, the Pakistan Super League has decided to shift the tournament window from its previous one, as the upcoming PSL 2025 will be held in the period of April-May, which would clash with the start of the English season for the first time. The Division One County Championship is scheduled to begin on March 4, while PSL 2025 will begin on April 10 and the final will be held on May 25.
But the real frustration among players is that the ECB announced a new NOC policy to defend their game in November last year, which will see players not get a NOC for overseas leagues held during the English summer, including the PSL, CPL and MLC.
However, the ECB has relented for the IPL. Later, the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) expressed its disappointment and said the NOC’s new policy had damaged its relationship with the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Sam Billings and Tom Curran among England’s top players to receive NOCs
Meanwhile, an ESPNCricinfo report suggests that top England players such as Sam Billings, Tom Curran, Chris Jordan and David Willey are expected to receive NOCs from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for the upcoming Pakistan Super League, despite new policy restrictions .
It said the England and Wales Cricket Board’s “consultative group” would review the requests based on criteria set out last November. PSL-bound players, who are either on white-ball contracts or willing to renegotiate their multi-format contracts, are likely to get NOCs.
Things are more complicated for Tom Kohler-Cadmore and James Vince, however, as they are currently under all-format contracts with Somerset and Hampshire respectively. If Tom Kohler-Cadmore and James Vince can get a NOC from the ECB, they will miss the first six games of the upcoming 2025 Division One County Championship.
Progress has been made in a number of implementation areas: PCA
On the other hand, it has been confirmed that Jonny Bairstow and Adil Rashid will not get NOCs for PSL 2025. However, the Professional Cricketers Association (PCA) has been finding a middle ground to resolve the NOC issue through legal means. the team, the players and the England and Wales Cricket Board.
ESPNCricinfo quoted a PCA spokesperson as saying: “Following the announcement of the NOC policy and its proposed implementation, the PCA has been working with its members, the legal team and the ECB, jointly representing current players to find solutions to the restrictions. Progress has been made in a number of areas of implementation; however, each NOC request is on a case-by-case basis and consultation is ongoing.”
