BCB to allow players two NOCs per year

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will allow the country's contracted players only two No Objection Certificates (NOC) per year to play in overseas leagues, according to board CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury, reports espncricinfo.

Bangladesh's contracted players were informed of the decision - which is effective immediately - through a letter that detailed the new restrictions. The leagues included in the restrictions are of all formats, and the board made it mandatory for players to participate in Bangladesh's first-class tournaments.

"It is a principled, policy decision of the board," Chowdhury said. "We will allow two NOCs per year. It will be on a case-by-case basis and it is with immediate effect. We want to give them enough rest and manage their injuries. We want to ensure all our players are available for international matches."

Debbabrata Paul, the secretary of the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh, disagreed with the BCB's decision. "This cannot happen and this doesn't happen anywhere in the world. It is being forced on the players. They are simply being deprived," Paul said. "We were not informed about it. We will definitely have to talk about it with the players."