Cricket

Hanuma Vihari Secures NOC from Andhra Cricket Association After Bitter DisputeIndian Test batter Hanuma Vihari has finally obtained his no objection certificate (NOC) from the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) after a protracted dispute with the state body. The NOC will allow Vihari to represent another state in domestic cricket from the 2024-25 season onwards.The conflict between Vihari and the ACA began in March when the association served him a show-cause notice after he publicly accused the governing body of unceremoniously removing him from captaincy. Vihari vowed not to play for the state again, citing a lack of respect and transparency.In a post on social media, Vihari revealed that he had been requesting the NOC for two months but had been met with resistance. However, following the recent victory of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in the state election, the ACA has issued the NOC immediately.In the NOC, ACA secretary Gopinath Reddy stated that the association has no objection to Vihari representing another BCCI-affiliated association as a player from the 2024-25 season onwards.Vihari, who has played 16 Tests for India, last represented the national team in 2022. He is expected to attract interest from several state associations, including Hyderabad, where he has previously played.The resolution of the dispute between Vihari and the ACA is a positive development for the player, who can now focus on his cricketing career without the distraction of off-field issues. It also highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in state cricket associations.

Pakistan legspinner Usama Mir has been denied a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), preventing him from participating in the upcoming T20 Blast with Worcestershire Rapids. Mir was expected to be available for the entire tournament after being omitted from Pakistan's T20 World Cup squad.According to ESPNcricinfo, Mir's NOC application was rejected due to a clause in his three-year central contract with the PCB, which permits players to participate in only two franchise T20 leagues outside of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) per season. Mir had already played in the Hundred and the Big Bash League (BBL) during the current contractual cycle, which runs from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.Despite Mir's limited involvement in the BBL, he and Worcestershire believed there was a chance of an NOC being granted for the Blast. However, the PCB maintains that its "PSL +2" policy is non-negotiable.Mir was a standout performer for Worcestershire in the Blast last season, taking 19 wickets and scoring 132 runs. He has been replaced by West Indian legspinner Hayden Walsh, who was recommended by former Worcestershire player Jason Holder.Walsh expressed his excitement about joining Worcestershire, saying, "I am thrilled to join Worcestershire and be part of such a prestigious club. Both Jason and Alzarri [Joseph] have said a lot of good things about the club and the group of players, and I look forward to contributing to the team's success."Worcestershire CEO Ashley Giles praised Walsh's versatility and talent, saying, "Hayden is a versatile and talented cricketer whose skills will be a great asset to our squad."Worcestershire will begin their T20 Blast campaign against Yorkshire on Thursday night, with Mir's absence a significant blow to their hopes of success.