PCB is yet to issue NOCs to Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi says ‘not comfortable’

Pakistan captain Babar Azam, wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan and pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi are yet to obtain No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the country’s Cricket Board (PCB) to participate in the Global T20 Canada league. The PCB on Tuesday issued NOCs to 12 players from different leagues but the trio, who are in the upper bracket of central contracts, are still awaiting clearance. “The PCB is not comfortable with the status of the Global League and has sought some information from the organizers and ICC, which is why the issuance of NOCs has been postponed,” said a PCB official.

The Global T20 Canada League is scheduled to be held from July 25 to August 11, while Pakistan’s Test series against Bangladesh at home begins around August 19.

Players who have received NOCs for different leagues include Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf and Zaman Khan for the US Premier League from July 4 to 28, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Hasnain, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan for the Lanka Premier League which has already is ongoing and ends on July 21, Fakhar Zaman for the Caribbean Premier League from August 29 to October 6, Usama Mir for the Hundred from July 23 to August 20 and Mohammad Amir for county cricket.

Surprisingly, the PCB did not clear youngsters Saim Ayub and Azam Khan for the CPL.

Shadab, Salman and Hasnain are already in Sri Lanka.

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