PCB Delays NOCs for Babar Azam, Rizwan, Afridi for Global T20 Canada

Pakistan's star cricketers Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi are still awaiting No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to participate in the Global T20 Canada league. The PCB has issued NOCs to 12 other players for various leagues, but the trio, who are among the highest-paid players in Pakistan, remain in limbo.

The PCB has expressed concerns about the status of the Global T20 Canada league and has sought clarification from the organizers and the International Cricket Council (ICC). This has led to the delay in issuing NOCs to Azam, Rizwan, and Afridi.

The Global T20 Canada League is scheduled to take place from July 25 to August 11, while Pakistan's Test series against Bangladesh at home is set to begin around August 19. The PCB is reportedly reluctant to grant NOCs to its top players for a league that overlaps with the national team's commitments.

Among the players who have received NOCs are Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, and Zaman Khan for the USA Major League, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Hasnain, Salman Ali Agha, and Shadab Khan for the Lanka Premier League, Fakhar Zaman for the Caribbean Premier League, Usama Mir for the Hundred, and Mohammad Amir for county cricket.

Notably, the PCB has not granted NOCs to young players Saim Ayub and Azam Khan for the CPL. Shadab, Salman, and Hasnain are already in Sri Lanka for the Lanka Premier League.

The PCB's decision to withhold NOCs for Azam, Rizwan, and Afridi has raised questions about the board's priorities. Some critics argue that the PCB should prioritize the development of young players by allowing them to participate in overseas leagues, while others believe that the board is right to protect its top players from potential injuries or burnout.

Tags: #PakistanCricket, #BabarAzam, #MohammadRizwan, #ShaheenShahAfridi, #GlobalT20Canada