WICB grant NOCs to Chanderpaul, Best for MCL

NOCs have been granted to Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Tino Best, Fidel Edwards and Krishmar Santokie by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to play in the Masters Champions League (MCL). All four had written to the board about their retirement from international cricket.

The board had earlier written to the ICC seeking clarity on the rules of the tournament since it was a league supposed to be conducted only for the retired players. The likes of Chanderpaul and Edwards had enrolled in it even before announcing their retirements.

Chanderpaul will represent Gemini Arabians whereas Edwards will turn out for Leo Lions. Best and Santokie will play for Sagittarius Strikers.

Michael Muirhead, the WICB CEO confirmed the development and wished for the tournament's success. "This is a tournament [for those] who have retired from international cricket," he said. "We wish for a successful tournament and we hope the opportunity for all the players prove valuable."

Chanderpaul is the second highest run-getter for the West Indies in Test cricket and announced his retirement last week. Santokie has played 12 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) and has an impressive average of 15.02 with an economy rate of 6.78 in T20 cricket. Best last played for West Indies in January 2014 while Edwards has not played for the Windies since 2012.

Out of these four, Chanderpaul, Best and Santokie will be allowed to play domestic cricket in West Indies but Edwards isn't eligible since he became a Kolpak player last year.

The tournament will take place in the UAE from January 28 to February 13.