Pakistani players taking part in leagues in Hong Kong, Uganda, etc. - Is it wise?

[Abdullah719]

So recently there's been news of Hasan Ali signing with a team in the Hong Kong T20 Blitz which takes place in early February (right before PSL).

Some Pakistani players are in Uganda nowadays for the 'Afro T20 Cricket League' including the likes of Mukhtar Ahmed, Imran Khan (the Test seam-bowler) and others.

Then there's the T10 league which was just inaugurated. However, that was a four-day event.

Whilst I can understand players being given NOCs for the well established T20 leagues such as CPL, BBL and BPL, is it really a wise decision to allow them to play in every other league out there?

I haven't seen other major cricketing nations who allow their players to take part in other leagues in this manner. Specially someone like Hasan Ali. Indians play in IPL only. Recently there's been talk of BCB giving NOCs to their players for only two leagues. You rarely see Australians playing in leagues besides IPL and BBL, though they are of course paid much more than Pakistani cricketers, therefore it's not a straightforward comparison.

I can understand when retired players (Misbah, Ajmal), or elder players who aren't likely to play international cricket again (Yasir Hameed is in Uganda, for example) take part in leagues all over the world, even playing exhibition matches, etc.

There's lots of aspects involved here including the pay that our cricketers get and the potential for burn-out and injuries.

This isn't meant to be a PCB or T20 bashing thread so hopefully there will be some constructive discussion on the topic.

 

[Saj]

Pay players better and stop them playing mickey mouse cricket.

The more they play in such tournaments, the more chance of injuries.

 

[HuzaifaE]

You said yourself comparison with Indian or Australian counterparts is sort of irrelevant given the pay disparity which hits the nail on the head.

I think it's more situational and difficult to broadly sum up. Players should be getting experience and playing cricket and they know their bodies and what they can take or can't. I don't see a conflict of interest with our international team's schedule and Hasan's participation so I personally don't see an issue with it when analyzing this case in particular. A T20 tournament is hardly as gruelling as is often made to be the case.

I think the PCB should simply be clear on the responsibilities of what is expected from the players in the green shirts and then they can accordingly plan. I can't begrudge players trying to earn some money during their short careers and given that it is T20 in a pretty uncompetitive setup, I don't think fatigue is much of a concern, might just help match fitness to be honest.

One reason why we may not see as many Australian or Indian or English players in these leagues, apart from the obvious access to the IPL etc, is their strenuous international fixtures scheduling while we are much more on the lax side of affairs.

I see the precedence that Bangladesh is trying to set with the NOC limit to perhaps prevent the mercenary mentality from seeping in and while that may be a potentially valid concern, I'd leave it up to the players. If they are actually committed for representing the team, they won't indulge in other matters that can jeopardize international duties.

 

[babajee]

Compensate centrally contracted players instead of allowing them to play these minnow leagues.

They wouldn’t even be making much money would they?

 

[giri26]

Well if they are unlikely to play International cricket anymore, they need an avenue to make money and it is okay to do that. But again Centrally contracted players should be restricted. What will Hasan Ali gain by playing in Hong kong?What if he gets injured and misses Pakistan's international schedule? PCB needs to monitor these things better.

 

[BaankeJi]

Injury risk is always there. They can get injured even in big leagues like IPL.
Coming to OP question, wise according to whom? Players are being wise by choosing to secure their future.
PCB? They are being wise to allow them to secure their future.
So it is wise.

 

[Savak]

Lol how much would the uganda league pay the players?

 

[msb314]

I am all in favor for not issuing no-objection certificates for any league other than PSL.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

I am all in favor for not issuing no-objection certificates for any league other than PSL.

That would not be wise.Pakistan players already don’t get payed much.I think PCB should allow the players to play in bigger competitions like BBL,SA T20,Natwest T20,CPL and BPL(unless it conflicts with international schedule ofc) aside from PSL.Retired,non-centrally contracted players can play in the other leagues like T10,HK Blitz etc

 

[CricketAnalyst]

I am all in favor for not issuing no-objection certificates for any league other than PSL.

I am all in favour for people like you being restricted to only one job that others can decide for you.

Why do people like you never hold yourselves to the standards you want to impose on others?

 

[CricketAnalyst]

Like someone else said here, if you don't want them playing, pay them yourself not to.

 

[USofA]

It speaks volumes of the PCB and how it compensates its players. How bad are things when players are playing in Uganda. I mean, they are probably getting minimal $$, yet they take these gigs. That's how desperate the PCB has put it's players in.

The PCB needs to better compensate the players. For that to happen they need to harness various revenue streams and at the same time being prudent in where they spend $$.

 

[khurram39]

at least don't allow 16 member squad to play in every league. just saw junaid khan injured and may be not available for NZ.

and also consider threat of fixing in other leagues. you may lost valuable player.

 

[Chip32]

Leagues in which top bowlers in the world participate:

Hazlewood- Zero
Starc- IPL
Rabada IPL
Cummins- IPL and BBL (the latter only when coming back from injury)

How much leagues Hasan has participated in the last year alone: PSL, CPL, BPL and T10

 

[Nil Dhumrojal]

Good money making for them. They don't need to play more internationals. Guess they would be very happy seeing no match in FTP. I wonder why ppers are arguing on less matches for Pak FTP.

 

[msb314]

I am all in favour for people like you being restricted to only one job that others can decide for you.

Why do people like you never hold yourselves to the standards you want to impose on others?

Yes I do one job that has been determined by my employer. They decide what I do and I cannot do multiple jobs or just whatever I want to do without permission of my employer.

The same goes for our international players who are centrally contracted to the PCB. They are employees / contractors of the PCB so PCB has every right to decide whether or not to enforce a no-objection certificate for any of these leagues

 

[UN talkz]

Hasan is world no.1 bowler and playing in these leagues is ridiculous... He needs to maintain a standard.
It is understandable as to why he played in CPL and BPL as Pak had lack of fixtures and it was a good thing for him as remaining away from action wont help him. But what's the need to play in some HK league at a time when just after 10 days PSL is starting.
These leagues shud be for players like Kami and Butt not for a guy who is best in the world.
BBL(if selected) and PSL shud be enough for him

 

[CricketAnalyst]

Yes I do one job that has been determined by my employer. They decide what I do and I cannot do multiple jobs or just whatever I want to do without permission of my employer.

The same goes for our international players who are centrally contracted to the PCB. They are employees / contractors of the PCB so PCB has every right to decide whether or not to enforce a no-objection certificate for any of these leagues

Yeah, and NEWSFLASH PCB allowed him to play.

Who are you to lobby that he shouldn't be allowed to play elsewhere?

On top of that even if PCB wasn't willing the problem is the monopoly and restraint of trade structure in which cricket is run. Hasan should be able to play wherever he likes without NOC. And NOC is required even if he isn't contracted which is where my objection to this structure arises.

Most of this is just plain illegal, and this situation is just waiting to explode when one player is denied an NOC and files for restraint of trade

 

[msb314]

Yeah, and NEWSFLASH PCB allowed him to play.

Who are you to lobby that he shouldn't be allowed to play elsewhere?

On top of that even if PCB wasn't willing the problem is the monopoly and restraint of trade structure in which cricket is run. Hasan should be able to play wherever he likes without NOC. And NOC is required even if he isn't contracted which is where my objection to this structure arises.

Most of this is just plain illegal, and this situation is just waiting to explode when one player is denied an NOC and files for restraint of trade

Just because they did doesn't mean they should.

We are just a few injuries or a another spot fixing scandal waiting to happen before the PCB realizes how everything is out of control and they will start restricting players involvement in these foreign leagues just like the BCCI and BCB.

 

[mmkextreme_1]

The contracted players should NOT be allowed to play every lalu panju league in the world.

Or at least the ones that are consistently in the playing xi. For example, the league going on in Uganda, PCB should allow its top domestic performers who are not playing international cricket for Pakistan to participate. Allows them to have income and test their skills against others outside of Pakistan.

 

[PakSarZameen]

The contracted players should not be allowed to play in other than BBL, NatWest T20, CPL and BPL.

We can give all contracted players an allowance to choose 3 leagues they would like to play in each year.

 

[CricketAnalyst]

Just because they did doesn't mean they should.

We are just a few injuries or a another spot fixing scandal waiting to happen before the PCB realizes how everything is out of control and they will start restricting players involvement in these foreign leagues just like the BCCI and BCB.

Keep wishing.

As I say, this whole system for restricting player's rights will blow up the moment one player takes it to Court.

And there are no words to express when people with no skin in the game, who have no stake in the matter, make these calls for professionals to be denied a chance to earn their living.

 

[hadi123]

Don't mind leagues like BPL, Nat T20 , CPL etc but definitely not pathetic leagues like Hong Kong/Uganda

 

[TeymurBlake]

I think he's too good to play Hong Kong T20. He's perfect for the other leagues. Would have loved to see some team in BBL and hopefully will continue to see him play CPL, PSL and BPL

 

[MenInG]

And now Shadab Khan joins Hong Kong United as Vice Captain - seems that its a free for all!

 

[finalfantasy7]

This is becoming far too greedy - most likely fatigue and give away you secrets.

Put more pressure on the board to play test cricket - won't even mind playing Bangladesh at Thrs for 2 tests

 

[ahsan17]

AFAIK no current players were part of Uganda League except for Imran Khan, who doesn't feature in Pakistan's limited overs team anyway.

 

[Bewal Express]

Pay players better and stop them playing mickey mouse cricket.

The more they play in such tournaments, the more chance of injuries.

I agree with you about the International players but FC need to go wherever the money is and they have families to feed.

 

[waleed88]

We complain about Pakistani players not getting enough pay, but they probably make more in a month than what the Hockey, Squash and other sports players are making in a year.

They don't even get their salaries, let alone money for trips abroad loool.

I think compared to how cash strap our other boards are, these players are making a fortune comparitively.

 

[Saj]

I agree with you about the International players but FC need to go wherever the money is and they have families to feed.

Agree, but come on, does the PCB really want its players to play in such tournaments and risk injury. If they do, then it's a sad and worrying state of affairs.

 

[Bewal Express]

Agree, but come on, does the PCB really want its players to play in such tournaments and risk injury. If they do, then it's a sad and worrying state of affairs.

Do you think that the anyone in the PCB gives a Monkeys? Its a board on autopilot with absolutely no direction or leadership. Its a board where the selectors dont even watch domestic cricket, its a board where the members enjoy the seat more than actually making a positive difference, its a board which has the likes of Shakil Sheikh.

 

[Saj]

Do you think that the anyone in the PCB gives a Monkeys? Its a board on autopilot with absolutely no direction or leadership. Its a board where the selectors dont even watch domestic cricket, its a board where the members enjoy the seat more than actually making a positive difference, its a board which has the likes of Shakil Sheikh.

I wouldn't be surprised if PCB are taking a cut from the player's contracts.

 

[BaankeJi]

Leagues in which top bowlers in the world participate:

Hazlewood- Zero
Starc- IPL
Rabada IPL
Cummins- IPL and BBL (the latter only when coming back from injury)

How much leagues Hasan has participated in the last year alone: PSL, CPL, BPL and T10

Better measure will be to see who all are making themselves available for leagues.