PCB denied NOC to Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi & Muhammad Rizwan

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) denied NOC (No Objection Certificate) to Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Muhammad Rizwan to play in the upcoming Global T20 League Canada. Global T20 League will begin on July 29, 2024.

Each of the three is regarded as a key member of the Pakistan cricket team. Hence, PCB decided to give these players rest time since they need to play a lot of cricket before the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Pakistan will host the 2025 Champions Trophy. This decision of PCB also comes due to the busy schedule for the Pakistan Cricket Team through May 2025.

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The player’s health including insurance they don’t sustain any injuries and get enough sleep, is the first priority for PCB. PCB stated in a press release that it provided the update on the player NOC requests for Global T20.

PCB confirmed they received NOC requests for the Global T20 event from Babar, Shaheen, and Rizwan. It mentioned the organization has decided to deny their requests after considering Pakistan’s hectic and full cricket schedule from August 2024 to March 2025.

PCB statement on player NOCs⤵️ pic.twitter.com/l1KjyRtkzG
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) July 19, 2024

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It includes nine ICC World Test Championship matches and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 the following year. Hence, PCB denied NOC to Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Muhamad Rizwan with the consultation of the national selection committee.

Moreover, PCB consulted all three significant players to make them aware of NOC denial. It also stated Pakistan will play nine Tests, fourteen ODIs, and nine T20Is over the next eight months. So, they need these players and their services for all three formats.

According to the PCB statement, this decision follows the PCB’s workload management policy. It is in the best interest of Pakistan Cricket and the players that they skip the upcoming event in Canada. So that they are in the best form and physical shape for the upcoming season.