PCB says no to cricket during Holy Month of Ramadan

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday said due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, it will not issue the No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for any cricket during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

The PCB in a statement said: "We have been approached by some organisers, seeking clarification on the PCB's NOC policy for Ramadan cricket. At this time it is appropriate we follow our overarching policy, which states that organised cricket in Pakistan will remain suspended until normalcy returns to society. In this background, the PCB will not issue any NOCs for Ramadan cricket.

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"These are unprecedented, tough and challenging times for the world as all economic and sporting activities have come to a standstill with sole focus being on health and safety of the people. The PCB strongly urges organisers and cricketers to religiously follow all precautionary measures, including remaining indoors, maintaining social distancing and avoiding gatherings.

"The PCB takes the welfare and wellbeing of its staff and cricketers very seriously. It has around 220 professional cricketers on its payroll apart from its staffers. The PCB will ensure that full player salaries continue to be honoured until at least the end of the 2019-2020 financial year. Furthermore, we have put

in place systems to ensure that monthly salaries are paid on time and without delay.
"The PCB is monitoring the situation in the country closely as it evolves and will amend its policy when appropriate."

No salary cut for Pakistan players at present: PCB

"Our financial year runs from July 1 to June 30. All player contracts (central and domestic) are till 30 June. There will be no salary cuts in the 2019-20 financial year. We have put in place systems to ensure that monthly salaries are paid on time and without delay. The PCB is monitoring the situation in the country closely as it evolves and will amend its policy when appropriate," the official said.

Earlier, BCCI Treasurer Arun Dhumal had also made it clear that the board wasn't looking at deducting the salary of players at present, even though the economic situation is a setback for even the India board considered one of the richest in world cricket.

"No, we have not spoken about this (salary cut). Whatever the steps after this setback, it will be taken judiciously and keeping the interest of all people in mind. Any step taken needs to be thought out and right now we haven't even thought about it.”

Indo-Asian News Service