Nepal Premier League would have raised its standards further in the third season had the franchises been able to field all the Pakistani stars they inked a deal with. But of the seven Pakistani players confirmed by four franchises for the third season, only one—Hussain Talat, signed by Karnali Yaks—was able to take part.

Franchise owners, Nepali cricket stakeholders and global experts of the gentleman’s game say that the inability to have those Pakistani stars feature in the NPL was a big blow for the NPL.

“This is definitely a disappointment for us,” Niroj Khatiwada, chief executive officer of Janakpur Bolts, told the Post.  “In a broader context, it is a big blow for overall Nepali cricket.”

The Bolts had announced two Pakistani players—Iftikhar Ahmed and Hunain Shah. The two had also arrived in Kathmandu for the tournament. They were with the Bolts at the TU International Cricket Ground in the fixture against Karnali on Tuesday, but on the bench.

A last-minute notice from the Pakistan Cricket Board regarding the requirement to pay USD 25,000 apiece by the players to be allowed to play in Nepal, has now led the Bolts to search for other options.

The Bolts’ executives also say they did not have an easy time to search for the replacements of the Pakistani duo at such a short notice.

“They [Ahmed and Shah] are still in Kathmandu, but it is certain they will not play for Janakpur,” said Khatiwada. “We have searched for their replacements. We will have eight foreign players by the time we enter the ground for our Thursday’s fixture against Kathmandu Gorkhas.”

The Bolts say they would have Ahmed and Shah stay for a while and take part in a few more training sessions to share their knowledge with the emerging talents in their squad.

“We had agreed for payment under match basis. As they will not be playing, we do not need to pay them,” said Khatiwada. “However, we will be covering their travel and accommodation until they are in Nepal and return to Pakistan.”

And it is not just the Bolts who suffered due to the NOC issue. Karnali, who solved the issue with Talat, had to send back Shahibzada Farhan, Pakistan’s T20 captain. Sudurpaschim Royals could not have Haider Ali in the squad.

Chitwan Rhinos were the other franchise to be hit by the NOC rule. Rhinos had signed two Pakistani players—Usama Mir and Hassan Ali. Mir had already come to Kathmandu, ready to play. But neither Mir nor Ali could fit in the squad after the NOC issue. As a result, Chitwan had two new signings—Tom Taylor and Daniel Richard Mousley—brought to the ground directly from the airport in Tuesday’s fixture against Biratnagar Kings.

Franchise insiders say that they were preparing to bring more Pakistani players for the third season. They say there would have been bigger names announced from Pakistan. However, it is no longer possible.

“We have also signed a Pakistani player, but have not been able to announce due to the NOC issue,” said Shrawan Bahadur Singh, operations head of Kathmandu Gorkhas. “I am more into the management side. Whether the Pakistani player will play or not will be decided by the cricketing officials of the team.”

The PCB has an NOC Guide in implementation from 2020. It does not mention the clause of the players requiring to pay USD 25,000 each to play in franchise leagues abroad.

It is not that the PCB’s rule of USD 25,000 has disallowed its players from participating in the foreign franchise leagues completely. As of August 8, around 40 players were granted NOC for different leagues in 2026.

However, there have been instances where the teams have suffered as well. For instance, Major League Cricket (MLC), the premier T20 league in the United States, has been facing a similar issue for a couple of years now.

In 2023, several Pakistani cricketers’ involvement in the MLC was in limbo, which, as per Espncricinfo, was a result of the PCB asking USD 25,000. The MLC faced it again in June 2026. 

“This is not a good thing for cricket,” a cricket expert who was associated with the MLC in June this year told the Post, asking not to be named. “Cricketers who are free from their national and domestic duties should have the freedom to play cricket in ICC-recognised events.”

In the case of NPL, the expert stressed that Pakistani’s last-minute demand of the huge amount was an unprofessional move. “If it is a rule by the PCB, it is not a big deal to clarify those aspects beforehand,” he said. “Why let a franchise’s plan and investment and the fans’ hopes go to waste.”

NPL franchise officials also accept that the inability to have Pakistani players feature was a big blow for the fans.

“Nepali cricket fans are avid supporters of South Asia’s cricketing nations—India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh,” said Khatiwada. “We cannot bring Indian national cricketers, but fans would have loved seeing Pakistani stars.

“Franchises have not struggled to bring players from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. We hope PCB solves this issue and allows fans outside Pakistan to see their favourite stars play.”

Shoaib Akhtar, the legendary Pakistani pacer, also believes that Pakistani players could play next year in the NPL.

Speaking at the NPL preview by Himalaya Sports on the inauguration day, Akhtar said that he did not know much about this matter as he had just arrived in Nepal.

“But you know, Pakistan is the country, I think, that helped many other young nations such as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka … to get the Test status, and we were very vocal about Irish cricket as well, in ICC, back in my days,” he said. “I am sure they are able to resolve the matter. Pakistan is always out there to help the younger generations such as Nepal.

“I don’t know about the NOC matter, I think it is up to the board. I am sure Pakistan will look into this matter and I think they will allow players for the next year. Hopefully.”

CAN officials, including President Chatur Bahadur Chand and secretary Paras Khadka have also shared that it is up to the franchises to negotiate with the PCB, fulfill the required procedures and then get the NOC. 

Franchises, meanwhile, say they would remain wary of Pakistani cricketers when they begin the process to sign foreign players for the next season.

Similarly, the franchises also believe that CAN should start implementing the draft system for foreign players.

“As the NPL is growing, big stars are coming, but it is also having a negative impact on franchises financially,” said Khatiwada. “Many foreign players’ agents demand more money every season as there is no guideline to how much a franchise can spend on overseas stars. If there is a draft system, it would ensure a cap on the players based on their caliber, making it easier for franchises in many ways.”

Singh also seconds that. “It will be very easy for us to manage our budget beforehand if there is a draft system,” he said. “But it is up to the Cricket Association of Nepal to implement that rule.”