Huge Blow To PCB As ECB Bans Its Players From PSL Participation but Allow IPL
In a significant setback for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has barred its players from participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) during the domestic season. This new policy, aimed at preserving the quality and integrity of domestic competitions like the County Championship and Vitality Blast, prohibits English players from joining overlapping leagues, including the PSL and Sri Lanka’s Premier League.
Under the revised guidelines, players with first-class contracts will not receive No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to compete in these leagues. However, those with white-ball-only contracts, such as Saqib Mahmood, are still permitted to play in the PSL. The ECB’s decision also prevents players from participating in multiple tournaments simultaneously, a change from previous allowances.
ECB chief executive Richard Gould emphasized that this policy provides clarity for players and counties while balancing opportunities for earning and maintaining cricket’s integrity. While this move may limit English players’ earning potential in franchise leagues, it underscores the ECB’s commitment to strengthening domestic cricket during the summer months. Notably, the Indian Premier League (IPL) remains an exception to this rule, allowing players to participate despite scheduling conflicts.