The Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to cancel the No Objection Certificates for players set to take part in overseas T20 leagues following the loss in Asia Cup final. The board’s move comes after Salman Ali Agha and co. lost to India by 5-wickets in the Asia Cup final, marking their third consecutive defeat against the arch-rivals. As per reports, seven Pakistan players, including snubbed Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were set to play in the Big Bash League (BBL) later this year.
Pakistan cancels NOCs after Asia Cup loss
As per ESPNCricinfo, the NOCs issued to players for participation in overseas T20 leagues and tournaments have been put on hold. The report states that there is no reason behind the decision at the moment. Among the seven players who had received NOCs from the PCB include Azam, Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi. Three players are set to go under the hammer in the ILT20 auction which will be held on September 30. The notice was issues by PCB CEO Sumair Ahmad Syed.
“With the approval of Chairman PCB, all No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for players with respect to participation in leagues and other out of country tournaments are hereby put on hold until further orders,” the notice,” the statement read.
It is pertinent to point out that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) allows its contracted players to take part only in two T20 leagues in a span of 12 months.
While Azam has been signed for Sydney Sixers, Rizwan is scheduled to play for Melbourne Renegades.The tournament begins on December 14 and will run till January 25, finishing just ahead of Australia Day.
Alongside Rizwan and Afridi, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan (Sydney Thunder) and Hasan Ali (Adelaide Strikers) were also picked up in the draft, making it seven Pakistani players in total set to feature this season, which would be a massive BBL milestone and a major boost to the tournament’s international appeal.
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