[Zunaid]

DHAKA, Wednesday, 16 January 2013

Media Release

BPL T20 franchises to replace Pakistani players

The BPL Governing Council today instructed the seven franchises to select replacement players after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) declined to provide no objection certificates (NOC) to its cricketers for participating in the second edition of
the tournament which kicks off tomorrow (Thursday, 17 January) with matches starting Friday.

BCB President Nazmul Hassan said that the door has closed for Pakistani cricketers in the BPL 2013: “The BPL would go ahead without Pakistani players. We have been informed by the PCB today that it will not issue NOC to the cricketers. With the competition just two days away this is an unexpected and uncalled-for situation. Even if players from Pakistan turn up now they will not be allowed to play in the BPL.

“The second edition of the BPL is a challenge for us. We are focusing on making this year’s tournament bigger and better than the last time. We have also communicated with the franchises and have told them to choose replacements from the list of unsold players in the auction or pick anyone else outside that list subject to availability.

“We have spoken to a number on national cricket boards and I can tell you that we have adequate replacements. I am very confident that we are going to have a successful BPL.