The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee, Najam Sethi, has hinted at taking measures to limit the participation of top national players in foreign leagues in order to prevent them from getting injured. Sethi was interacting with the media after unveiling the complete schedule of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 8 and was responding to a question about the fitness woes of players.
Sethi revealed that when he was the chairman of the PCB in 2017-18, a rule was established that no player could participate in more than two leagues. However, he added that the rule is not being followed and that players are somehow getting permission to participate in different leagues.
Mr Sethi further revealed that he received a proposal from PSL franchises regarding players’ availability ahead of the PSL 8. He stated that the PCB will not risk the fitness of its players at any cost and that a decision will be taken to ensure the safety of players.
“Recently, some of our players were wanting to partake in the Bangladesh Premier League including those who are going to be involved in the PSL. So, I asked management committee member Haroon Rashid as he was monitoring such cases to get feedback from their respective franchises if they will permit their players,” said Sethi.
“And if they get injured there and later ruled out of the PSL, who will be responsible for this and what should the policy be for it so we got a suggestion from the franchises that 15 days prior to the commencement of the PSL all the selected players should return to the country,” he maintained.
“So that is the proposal for us and I am ensuring you that definitely we will take action on this because we can’t risk it. There is so much cricket being played so we have to protect our players. It is true that players need financial assistance but not by risking national duty,” he added.
In conclusion, the PCB is considering measures to limit the participation of top national players in foreign leagues to prevent injuries. The proposal received from PSL franchises suggests that 15 days prior to the commencement of the PSL, all the selected players should return to the country. The eighth edition of the PSL will kick off on February 13 with Multan Sultans taking on defending champions Lahore Qalandars in the curtain raiser.
