PCB issues show-cause notice to Pakistani cricketers playing in USA, here's why

The Pakistan Cricket Board has issued show-cause notices to its players who are playing in minor competitions in the United States without the required no-objection certificate (NOC).

The PCB responded when Test player Fawad Alam relocated to the United States to play cricket with the intention of eventually living in the nation.

Several renowned players, including those who have represented Pakistan on the world tour, are currently playing in the United States, including Sohaib Maqsood, Arshad Iqbal, Hussain Talat, Ali Shafiq, Imad Butt, Usman Shanwari, Umaid Asif, Zeeshan Ashraf, Saif Badar, Mukhtar Ahmed, and Nauman Anwar.

These players did not receive PCB NOCs prior to travelling to the United States.

Other Pakistan players in the USA leagues besides Alam include Hassan Khan, Sami Aslam, Hammad Azam, Salman Arshad, Mussadiq Ahmed, Imran Khan Junior, and Ali Nasir.

However, a board source acknowledged that a few players, including Alam, had visit visas and had alerted the board before travelling to the United States.

According to a reliable source, several of the players, including Alam, have already applied for that category of visas, which would eventually grant them green cards and allow them to settle in the United States within a year and a half.

Mansoor Akhtar, Alam's father-in-law and former Pakistan batsman, is also a US citizen who lives in Houston.

Players like as Sami Aslam, Hammad Azam, Nauman Anwar, and Ramiz Raja have previously moved in the United States and currently hold green cards.

According to the USA Minor League's rules and regulations, a player is only entitled to play as a local when he has retired from both international and domestic cricket.

Players who refuse to retire from international or domestic seasons are only accepted as "guest" players, and their teams do not seek for green card status on their behalf.

Initially, the US Minor League operated as an organisation, bringing players to the country on work-based visas, which eventually led to green cards.

However, the league's teams must now directly invite players from its visa allotment.

The PCB had previously imposed a $10,000 fee for obtaining a NOC before to participation in overseas leagues, but it appears that teams in the USA Minor League have been hesitant to make such a large payment.

"Aside from the minor league, other cricket matches and tournaments are held throughout the year, particularly on long weekends, and players are kept busy with playing and coaching."

And, with the advent of the USA Major League, the United States is now a viable destination for some Pakistani players who are neglected at home," according to the source.