PCB denies NOCs to Babar, Rizwan, and Shaheen for Canadian T20 League

NOCs withheld citing 'extraordinarily busy domestic cricket season, the workload on the players'

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided not to issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to star players Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi for the Global T20 Canada league.

According to a PCB spokesperson, the decision was made considering the extraordinarily busy domestic cricket season and the workload on the players. All three are key members of the Pakistan national team across all formats and their presence will be crucial.

The PCB's statement emphasized the need for these players to be fully fit at the start of the season. Meanwhile, NOCs have been granted to Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Amir, Asif Ali, and Mohammad Nawaz for participation in the league.

The fourth edition of Canada's Global T20 League is scheduled to run from July 25 to August 11. However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has not approved the tournament yet.

Media reports indicate that the Canada Cricket Board has not settled its dues, resulting in the league's pending approval. Additionally, there are reports of suspicious activities and investigations involving an Indian franchise owner, with potentially sensational details expected to emerge in the coming days.

The ICC has maintained its policy of not commenting on such matters.

Several prominent Pakistani players, including fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Mohammad Nawaz, and Mohammad Amir, were awaiting NOCs to participate in the event.

However, earlier, the PCB cited the ICC's lack of approval for the tournament as the reason for not issuing NOCs to these players.

This followed PCB's earlier announcement that players would be allowed to participate in limited leagues based on workload management.