ESPNcricinfo understands that the PCB is likely to deny NOCs to a few players across the format for the franchise’s upcoming tournaments. Although Canada’s Global T20 League has not yet been officially sanctioned by the ICC – otherwise the PCB cannot issue NOCs to mid-contract players – it is believed that Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam will not be allowed to play there either way. , and work management may be cited as a reason.
The immediate consequences of the decision mean The Hundred’s Birmingham Phoenix will lose Naseem next month, while Afridi, Rizwan and Babar will be unavailable for the Global T20 League Canada. There is no direct clash with any of Pakistan’s international cricket matches, but with the national team’s busy schedule ahead, it is understandable that the PCB would like to see its best players rested before Pakistan’s two-match Test series against Bangladesh, which kicks off. on August 21.
While the GLT20 is awaiting official ICC sanction, the Pakistani players nominated were expected to be allowed to play in the league; Afridi is set to travel to Canada soon, with the tournament expected to start on July 25. Naseem, meanwhile, will earn £125,000 for his time at The Hundred, which starts on July 23.
This is not to say that no NOC applications will be entertained, with the recent NOC crackdown it may only affect those considered normal for the entire format. Usama Mir, who was denied his NOC last month for the T20 Blast, will be allowed to play The Hundred, as will Haris Rauf.
The NOC rejection is expected to go ahead of the leagues next month. Pakistan has a non-stop cricket schedule from October to May next year. They will play three Tests against England at home that month, followed by a limited-overs series in Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa, a Test series in South Africa, a Test series at home against the West Indies, a tri-series home matches between South Africa and New Zealand, the home Champions Trophy, and the PSL. It is understood that the PCB will not allow NOC applications at that time for players in the format, which is in line with the T20 league series.
The three-year contracts the PCB signed with the players last year allowed for two overseas leagues a year, as long as those tournaments did not conflict with the player’s international commitments. Although the contracts state that the PCB has the right to refuse NOCs if it deems it to be in the interest of Pakistan’s international obligations, the decision to withdraw players from leagues that do not directly conflict with international cricket will cause dissatisfaction among the players. concerned, and questions about whether grants made in central contracts are respected in the air.
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