PCB’s latest ‘restrictions’ irk FICA  

Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) has voiced its concerns over the recent proposal by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), under which Pakistani cricketers can now participate in only two cricket leagues each year.

"Blanket restrictions on players from playing in T20 leagues, which limit their ability to earn a living as professional cricketers, is not the answer to fundamental issues with the structure of the game," Tony Irish, FICA's executive chairman, told ESPNcricinfo. "Structural change is needed. Although one needs to respect a country's right to manage workload of its contracted players this isn't achieved by one blanket restriction applying to all players.”

"They are then lost to the international game. Once players are out of contract there is no legal basis to restrict them, even under ICC regulation," added Irish.

The statement comes after PCB announced its latest policy on Wednesday, under which “Centrally contracted players will be allowed to participate in two leagues only in a cricket season,” stated PCB in a press statement.

Pakistani players confined to two foreign leagues

Meanwhile, as per the new policy endorsed by PCB Chairman Najam Sethi, non-contracted players are bound to play at least three domestic first-class matches for them to be entitled to receive NOC for participation in foreign cricket leagues.

Whereas, retired players do not need any NOC from the PCB; however, as per the rules by ICC they are bound to obtain NOC from the board for two years from the date of their retirement.

Meanwhile, FICA has no jurisdiction in the matters of Pakistan cricket, as Pakistan's players do not have a players' association.