Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan unlikely to get NOC for Global T20 Canada

Pakistan’s star trio Babar Azam, Mohammed Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi are unlikely to get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for participating in the upcoming Global T20 Canada, sources told Geo News. Sources informed Geo News that the players will not get an NOC despite the league schedule, avoiding any clash with Pakistan’s international matches. Pakistan will play the two-match Test series against Bangladesh which will begin on August 21. The Canadian League will be played from July 25th to August 11th.

It was also reported that the reason for the CON’s likely denial is that players who play in all formats will not receive the certificate as per the policy. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is not in favor of issuing NOCs to players because of the hectic schedule that awaits them.

Pacer Naseem Shah was also denied his NOC last week to participate in The Hundred. Sources informed Geo News that after considering the application submitted by the Pakistani cricketer, the decision to deny the NOC was taken as a preventive measure.

Sources claimed that Naseem’s request was rejected to protect him from injuries as the youngster played in all three formats for Pakistan and suffered injuries and fitness issues last year.

Apart from the star trio, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Asif Ali and Iftikhar Ahmed also have Global T20 Canada contracts.

Earlier this week, PCB chairman Naqvi had stated that players would be given NOC based on certain criteria. Players who meet the criteria will receive the NOC.

“Players will be promoted based on their fitness and performance. There is no place for players who do not fit the criteria. There will also be no compromise on discipline,” said PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi.

In their crucial World Test Championship matches against Bangladesh, Pakistan’s red-ball coach Jason Gillispie has already hinted at the possible unavailability of pace star Shaheen Shah Afridi for the series.

Shaheen and his wife Ansha, who got married last year, are expecting the birth of their first child. Due to this, he may miss the Test series against Bangladesh next month.

“Shaheen may miss Bangladesh’s Test matches due to childbirth. We can give him [some] rest if you want to be with your wife until then,” Pakistan red football team coach Jason Gillispie said last week.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)