Seven of eight Pakistani cricketers return home amid Nepal Premier League row

KARACHI: The Nepal Premier League row has deepened, with seven of the eight Pakistani cricketers returning home.

According to sources, Sudurpashchim Royals, the team of former Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq, objected to the poor outfield. Misbah-ul-Haq said the players’ safety could not be put at risk.

He voiced concern over the wet outfield and a faulty floodlight tower, and protested against the decision to limit the match to five overs an innings. The match was played after lengthy talks, in which Birat Nagar Kings beat Sudurpashchim Royals by 35 runs.

Misbah-ul-Haq also said that the captain of his team was not invited to the post-match ceremony.

Dispute over fee

Earlier, a dispute had also arisen between the Pakistan and Nepal cricket boards after a fee of $25,000 per head was sought for the participation of Pakistani players in the Nepal Premier League.

The president of the Nepal cricket board said the PCB’s demand for a fee at the last moment was beyond understanding. According to PCB sources, however, the fee was sought not from the players but from their franchises.

Players return

Eight Pakistani cricketers, Sahibzada Farhan, Hussain Talat, Haider Ali, Hanain Shah, Iftikhar Ahmed, Hasan Ali and Usama Mir, were part of the league. However, all the cricketers except Hussain Talat chose to return home.

The league will continue until 21 November.