The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) last month took action on three players of the team, keeping them out of the national contract, and decided not to provide NOCs to play in foreign T20 leagues. ACB took this action against spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman, pacer Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi. However, now the board has reconsidered it and has decided to grant them an annual contract as well as an NOC.
Afghanistan had barred giving NOCs to Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb ur Rahman, and Naveen-ul-Haq for two years, but now the return of all three players is almost complete. Farooqi, Mujeeb, and Naveen had approached the board expressing their desire to represent the country again. After this, the ACB has relaxed the restrictions imposed on them, allowing players to have a ‘limited’ number of NOCs to play franchise cricket.
The approval to take advantage of the T20 league and central contracts has come with a final warning to these three players. The board has also warned of deductions from their monthly salary and match fees.
This information has also been given in the ACB’s press release. It also mentioned it could award them central contracts, which were delayed when the initial ban was imposed. After these restrictions of the board, their performance and discipline were strictly monitored.
ACB chief Mirwaiz Ashraf said: “We hope that the players avoid similar inconveniences in the future as we expect them to represent the country in the best possible way.” ACB and rules are above all of us and it is important to follow the rules, as there is no exception for anyone in this regard. However, such matters of a similar nature will be dealt with more rigorously as we prioritize Afghanistan cricket and the organization’s reputation.”
Let us clear that due to the restrictions imposed on Mujeeb, Naveen, and Farooqi by ACB, the three teams of IPL were blown away, because if these players did not get NOC, then their replacement would have to be found.
In IPL 2024, Mujeeb ur Rahman is going to play for Kolkata Knight Riders, Fazalhaq Farooqi for Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Naveen ul Haq for Lucknow Super Giants. Now the way for these three to play IPL has been cleared.
