LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Friday that it has denied no-objection certificates (NOCs) to white-ball captain Babar Azam, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, and pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi for the Global T20 Canada 2024.
In a statement, the PCB explained that it had received NOC requests from these players, among others, but had decided to decline them due to Pakistan’s demanding cricket schedule from August 2024 to March 2025. The calendar includes nine ICC World Test Championship matches and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The decision followed consultations with the players and the national selection committee.
The PCB emphasized that Azam, Rizwan, and Afridi are all-format cricketers whose services will be crucial over the next eight months. Pakistan is slated to play nine Tests, 14 ODIs, and nine T20Is during this period. The board’s decision aligns with its workload management policy, aiming to ensure that players remain in peak physical and mental condition for the upcoming season, which starts with a two-Test series against Bangladesh.
In contrast, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has approved No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for the participation of Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Amir, and Mohammad Nawaz. These players are known for their expertise in white-ball cricket formats, such as One Day Internationals and T20Is. It’s worth noting that both Iftikhar and Nawaz are centrally contracted players, indicating their pivotal roles in the national team’s plans for the future.
The PCB had previously denied permission to Naseem Shah to participate in The Hundred, citing similar concerns regarding player workload and the national team’s schedule.
The board’s stance reflects its commitment to managing player workloads effectively while prioritizing the national team’s performance in a busy cricketing calendar.
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