PCB cancels player NOCs for playing in foreign T20 leagues a day after defeat to India in Asia Cup final: Report

There have been grumblings among former players of the current crop of Pakistan players not playing enough domestic first class cricket. Pace legend Wasim Akram had linked fast bowler Haris Rauf’s tendency to leak runs to his lack of experience in red-ball cricket. “I am not criticising him, the whole country is. He does not play red ball cricket. He refused to be in the team, at least play four or five first-class games,” Akram said while speaking on The Sony Sports Network.

Story continues below this ad

The move could have far-reaching effects on some of Pakistan’s biggest stars and for the short-term plans of a number of T20I franchises across the world. Seven Pakistanis, including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi, are due to play in the BBL this season, which begins in December. The possibilyt of Shadab Khan sharing a dressing room with India spin great Ravichandran Ashwin could also come to an end, with both players having been drafted to play for Sydney Thunder.

There are also 16 Pakistan players in the shortlist for the ILT20 auction, which is due to take place on October 1 in the UAE. Three of those include Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman.

Click here to read article