Pakistan's Reported $25,000 NPL Clearance Demand Sparks Controversy
Uncertainty surrounds Pakistani players' participation in the Nepal Premier League amid reports of a clearance fee demand.
Photo: AI-generated illustration, created for Breaking Global News.Pakistan Reportedly Demands $25,000 Per Player as Nepal Premier League Faces Cricket Controversy
Kathmandu, Nepal | October 27, 2026
The Nepal Premier League (NPL) has been hit by controversy after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly sought a fee of $25,000 per player for issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to Pakistani cricketers participating in the tournament.
According to reports cited by ESPNcricinfo and The Kathmandu Post, the PCB placed previously approved player clearances on hold, leaving Nepalese franchises uncertain about the availability of their Pakistani signings.
Nepalese Franchises Face Uncertainty
Several Pakistani players had signed contracts with NPL franchises for the tournament. Among them were Pakistan T20 captain Sahibzada Farhan, Hussain Talat, Haider Ali, Hunain Shah, Iftikhar Ahmed, Hasan Ali and Usama Mir.
Karnali Yaks reportedly expressed willingness to pay the requested amount for Farhan and Talat. However, Farhan returned to Pakistan amid the uncertainty surrounding his participation.
The reported demand has raised concerns among Nepalese franchises, which had already invested in overseas players and planned their squads around their availability.
Has Nepal Officially Rejected the Demand?
Although the reported fee has created frustration among Nepalese teams, available reports do not establish that the Nepal Premier League or Cricket Association of Nepal formally rejected the demand.
The PCB has also not publicly confirmed the reported $25,000 fee in the cited coverage. ESPNcricinfo reported that it could not independently verify whether the demand had been formally communicated in writing.
What Happens Next?
The situation has highlighted the challenges franchise leagues face when overseas players require clearance from their national cricket boards. Without the necessary NOCs, affected Pakistani players cannot participate in the NPL, regardless of their franchise contracts.
The outcome of discussions between the relevant parties will determine whether the affected players can join their teams during the tournament.
Breaking Global News will continue to follow developments in the Nepal Premier League.
Sources: The Kathmandu Post, ESPNcricinfo.