South African players will not be able to participate in the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) as Cricket South Africa has refused to give them a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to give priority to domestic tournaments. Defending champions Multan Sultans will take on hosts and 2020 winners Karachi Kings in the opening match of the PSL on January 27. Cricket South Africa’s director of cricket Graeme Smith said Proteas players need to be available for the national team keeping the upcoming tour in mind.
“It is true that the contracted members of the Proteas team have been denied NOC to play in the Pakistan Super League due to international schedules and domestic competitions, which should always be given priority,” Smith told ESPNcricinfo. Our contracted players will have to be available for their national team in view of the New Zealand tour and a home series against Bangladesh. The same applies with respect to our domestic franchise tournaments, which are going to start soon.
The former South Africa captain said that if the tournament schedule does not clash with the Proteas tour, then CSA will approve the NOC, as has been done in the past. Talking about PSL, 15 matches will be organized in Karachi from 27 January to 7 February. This will be followed by the remaining 15 league matches and four play-offs from February 10-27 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Multan Sultans picks England’s David Willey, franchises decide team for PSL
England all-rounder David Willey will be seen playing for Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Six teams of the tournament strengthened their squads on Saturday ahead of the upcoming season. PSL franchises chose replacements for extra players and players unavailable for the first few matches.