PCB Denies Naseem Shah NOC for The Hundred Due to Workload Management

Pakistan's young fast bowler Naseem Shah has been denied a No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to participate in The Hundred due to workload management concerns.

Sources close to Geo News revealed that the PCB's decision was made as a precautionary measure after assessing Naseem's application. Despite being a regular member of Pakistan's team in all three formats, Naseem's injury history and fitness issues prompted the board to decline his request.

In October 2023, Naseem underwent surgery to address a shoulder problem. The surgery ruled him out of the 2023 ICC World Cup, contributing to Pakistan's disappointing group-stage exit. Following the surgery, doctors advised Naseem to rest and recover for four to six weeks before returning to action. The injury is expected to keep him out for a minimum of three to four months.

Pakistan has a busy schedule of important World Test Championship matches in the coming months. They will face Bangladesh in a two-match Test series starting on August 21. Pakistan's red-ball head coach, Jason Gillespie, has already hinted at the possibility of Shaheen Shah Afridi missing the series.

Shaheen and his wife Ansha are expecting their first child, and he may miss the Test series against Bangladesh next month. "Shaheen can miss Bangladesh Test matches due to childbirth. We can give him [some] rest if he wants to stay with his wife till then," said Gillespie.

In addition to red-ball cricket, Pakistan will also play limited-overs cricket against Australia in November. The PCB's decision to deny Naseem an NOC is aimed at protecting him from further injuries and ensuring his availability for these crucial matches.

Tags: #NaseemShah, #PCB, #TheHundred, #WorkloadManagement, #PakistanCricket