In a twist that’s got Pakistan cricket fans buzzing, it looks like we might be in for some disappointing news. Word on the street is that top players like skipper Babar Azam, pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan might not get the all-important no-objection certificate (NOC) for the upcoming Global T20 Canada.
Even though the league, which runs from July 25 to August 11, doesn’t overlap with any of our current cricket series, it seems the PCB is holding firm. Why? It’s all because of a strict policy that doesn’t grant NOCs to all-format players, thanks to our jam-packed international schedule.
This latest news follows the PCB’s recent decision to deny fast bowler Naseem Shah an NOC for The Hundred cricket league for the same reason.
But that’s not all—there’s still a hitch with the Global T20 Canada itself, as it’s waiting on a green light from the International Cricket Council (ICC) due to some unresolved issues. So, the final decision on the players’ NOCs will depend on this approval.
On a brighter note, other Pakistani cricketers like Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Asif Ali, and Iftikhar Ahmed have already secured contracts for the league.
According to PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, NOCs will only be handed out after a thorough review of players’ fitness, performance, and discipline. “Only those who meet the criteria will be considered,” Naqvi said, hinting that tough decisions are ahead for our cricketing stars.
So, stay tuned to see if Babar, Shaheen, and Rizwan can manage to turn this situation around!