'Afridi will have to get NOC from PCB to play in SLPL'

After Hampshire refused Shahid Afridi to take him in their side in the absence of an NOC from the PCB, Sri Lanka Cricket has also made it clear that the all-rounder will have to get a no-objection certificate to play in their premier league next month.

Afridi was signed for a reported sum of USD 35,000 to captain one of the sides in the Sri Lankan Premier League being held with the approval of the SLC authorities.

Media reports in Pakistan on Thursday quoted sources as saying that Afridi had been assured by the organisers of Sri Lankan Premier League that he would not require a NOC from the Pakistan Cricket Board to play in SLPL.

But SLC secretary Nishanta Ranatunga made it clear this was not correct. "As far as we are concerned any player belonging to any country no matter what his status must have clearance from his home Board to be eligible to play in the league," he said.

He said that as per ICC rules followed by all Boards, players wanting to play in foreign leagues had to get NOCs from their home Board.

Afridi was stopped by English county Hampshire from playing in the English domestic T20 competition after the PCB revoked all NOCs issued to Afridi to play abroad.

Afridi, who announced his retirement from international cricket earlier this week in protest against his sacking as captain, has now written to the PCB to grant him special permission to play for Hampshire.

While admitting that he has violated his central contract terms and was ready to face the PCB disciplinary committee, Afridi, however, urged the board to consider giving him a NOC to play for Hampshire.

A board official told PTI that the reply from Afridi would be discussed today in a meeting which would be attended by the legal advisors of the Board.