PCB Denies NOC To Star Trio For Global T20 Canada 2024

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to take strict measures following the team's disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup 2024. The board plans to withhold clearance for three key players, preventing them from participating in the Global T20 Canada.

PCB chairman had hinted at significant changes after Pakistan's early exit from the T20 World Cup. The team was eliminated in the group stage after losing to India and an unexpected defeat by the USA.

As part of their response to the poor performance, PCB has reportedly denied NOCs to Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan. This action prevents them from joining franchise leagues.

On July 2, PCB granted NOCs to 12 players for various leagues and tournaments. These include the Lanka Premier League (LPL), The Hundred, Major League Cricket, County Cricket, and the World Championships of Legends.

• Abrar Ahmed - Major League Cricket - 4 to 28 July
• Fakhar Zaman - Caribbean Premier League - 29 August to 6 October
• Haris Rauf - Major League Cricket - 5 to 28 July
• Mohammad Amir - County Cricket - 4 to 20 July
• Mohammad Haris - Lanka Premier League - 1 to 21 July
• Mohammad Hasnain - Lanka Premier League - 1 to 21 July
• Salman Ali Agha - Lanka Premier League - 1 to 21 July
• Shadab Khan - Lanka Premier League - 1 to 21 July
• Sharjeel Khan - World Championship of Legends - 3 to 13 July
• Sohaib Maqsood - World Championship of Legends - 3 to 13 July
• Usama Mir - The Hundred - 23 July to 20 August
• Zaman Khan - Major League Cricket - 4 to 28 July

The list notably excludes Shaheen, Babar, and Rizwan. However, they might still receive NOCs for Global T20 Canada if a crucial condition is met.

NOC Conditions for Global T20 Canada Participation

The PCB release states that Global T20 Canada is yet to be approved by the ICC. Once it gains Approved Event status, PCB will consider NOC requests from players.

Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan are not alone in missing out on NOCs. Other notable players like Iftikhar Ahmed, Asif Ali, and Mohammad Nawaz are also excluded from the list.

Mohammad Amir has been granted clearance for County Cricket despite playing in Bangladesh Premier League earlier this season. This suggests he might not get an NOC for GT20 Canada as PCB allows participation in only two overseas leagues per year.

Younger talents Saim Ayub and Azam Khan have also not received clearance for their participation in the Caribbean Premier League.

This decision reflects PCB's commitment to addressing performance issues within the team. It remains uncertain how these actions will impact future selections and player morale.

The cricketing community will closely watch how these developments unfold and affect Pakistan's cricket landscape moving forward.