Pakistan Cricket Board allows its players to participate in upcoming SA20 league

Pakistan Cricket Board has permitted its players to feature in the newly formed SA20  league, slated to begin in January 2023 as reported by ESPNcricinfo. It is understood that the change came after the league introduced a new wildcard entry.

The new rule allows franchises to pick one extra player in their squads, and at least two Pakistani cricketers who do not have the central contract offered by PCB can get opportunities. The governing body of Pakistan Cricket has also allowed its contracted players to feature in the event, if they manage to get buyers.

The inaugural edition of the new tournament is slated to start next year in January. Several prominent players from around the world along with bulks of local talent will be seen in action during the tournament. To note, all the franchises playing in the competition are purchased by the owners of teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Post the World Cup, we will allow teams to pick one more player: Commissioner Graeme Smith

"We are introducing a wildcard pick. Post the World Cup, we will allow teams to pick one other player. From a league's perspective, we don't get involved in the selection process. The teams go to the market and pick players." said SA20 commissioner Graeme Smith on the new wildcard pick rule as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. 

According to ESPNcricinfo, earlier, no Pakistani cricketer featured in the original auction for several reasons. There was a thought process that the players were snubbed because the franchises are owned by the owners of the IPL teams. To note, express pacer Mohammad Hasnain and the wicketkeeper batter Azam Khan were both denied NOCs for the league earlier.

As mentioned above, several players from across the World will particiapte in the tournament. The auction for the upcoming league was recently conducted in September with as many as 533 players participating in it. Tristan Stubbs fetched the highest bid of Rand 9.2 million (US$ 520,000 approx.) for the opening edition with Sunrisers Eastern Cape winning the bidding war against MI Cape Town and Johannesburg Super Kings to bag Stubbs' services.