PCB denied NOCs to Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi for Global T20 Canada
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has ignited a controversy by refusing No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to star players Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan for the upcoming Global T20 Canada tournament. This follows a similar decision last week denying Naseem Shah’s NOC for the Hundred competition in England.
The PCB justifies its decision by highlighting the upcoming international calendar. Between August 2024 and March 2025, Pakistan is scheduled for a demanding schedule – 9 Tests for the World Test Championship, the ICC Champions Trophy, 14 ODIs (One Day Internationals), and 9 T20Is (Twenty20 Internationals). Since all three players are crucial all-format cricketers, the PCB wants their full focus on national duty.
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Selective NOC approvals
However, the PCB’s decision is not without criticism. While some players like Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Amir recently received NOCs for other T20 tournaments, the red-ball specialists (Test players) are being restricted in the lead-up to the Bangladesh Test series in August. This inconsistency raises questions about the fairness of the policy.
PCB central contract controversy
The PCB and players signed 3-year central contracts last year, allowing participation in two overseas franchise tournaments annually, as long as they don’t clash with national commitments. While the contracts reserve the PCB’s right to deny NOCs if deemed necessary, the current decision to block players from non-conflicting leagues is causing discontent. Players, especially Shaheen Afridi who pulled out of the Hundred based on expected participation in Canada, feel the spirit of the contract is being disregarded.
Pakistan faces a tiring cricketing schedule from October 2024 to May 2025. This period includes Tests against England, limited-overs series in multiple countries, a home Champions Trophy, and the popular Pakistan Super League (PSL). It is understood that PCB will likely deny NOC requests for all-format players during this hectic phase, potentially conflicting with various T20 leagues.
The PCB’s stance prioritizes national team success by ensuring key players are well-rested and focused on international matches. However, the selective NOC approvals and potential limitations during the upcoming season raise concerns about player freedom and the spirit of the central contracts. Finding a balance between national duty and allowing players to participate in lucrative overseas leagues is a challenge the PCB will need to address in the coming months.
