Usama Mir’s NOC denial has started a heated yet constructive debate among cricket fans. Not giving the playing permit despite not being in the team seems strange but the policy ‘One for all, all for one’ seems to be in action loudly and clearly.
A brief Scenario of what happened actually
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has refused to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to leg-spinner Usama Mir to participate in the T20 Blast tournament. Facts must be noted that Mir was the top wicket-taker for Multan Sultans in the PSL 9 season but has not featured in any overseas T20 leagues since then.
He also represented Manchester Originals in the Hundred last season and has been retained for the 2024 season on a £60,000 contract. He intends to play in the Hundred and one additional league this season
Worcestershire will begin their T20 Blast campaign without Mir, with Hayden Walsh joining the squad as a replacement.
PCB Decision is backed by the Central contract policy
Mir thought he had scored a hat-trick by signing a 3-year deal with PCB, but little did he know that it came with some strings attached! The contract allowed him to play in only two T20 leagues besides PSL, and after enjoying a stint in the Hundred and BBL, PCB pulled the plug on his T20 adventures until June 30, 2024, citing national duty commitments.
Given Mir’s curtailed BBL involvement, it is understood the player – and Worcestershire – believed there was a realistic chance of a NOC being granted to him for the Blast. However, the PCB’s position is that “PSL +2” is a non-negotiable policy, and Mir did take part in two overseas franchise leagues in the current cycle.
PCB is adamant that PSL and two overseas franchise competitions are the maximum that can be allowed for a player to participate in a year of the contractual cycle. Hence Usama Mir’s NOC denial.
Also Read: Shaheen Afridi’s Captaincy Snub: PCB Reveals the Inside Story
PCB policy a double-edged sword
The PCB policy of limiting centrally contracted players to just two T20 leagues might look like a blessing and a curse for players like Usama Mir. On one side, it’s great that the PCB is looking out for their players’ workloads and making sure they don’t burn out. Playing in multiple leagues can be exhausting, both in terms of physically and mentally, and this policy ensures that players receive some well-needed rest and recovery time.
On the other hand, it’s a bit of a bummer for players like Usama Mir who were already enjoying a stint in two leagues and were likely looking forward to exploring other opportunities. By pulling him out of the BBL, the PCB has essentially cut short his T20 adventure, which could have been a great chance for him to gain more experience, exposure, and maybe even a few more dollars in his pocket.
So, while the policy is well-intentioned, it’s a bit of a double-edged sword for players like Usama Mir. It’s a trade-off between rest and recovery on one hand, and missed opportunities on the other.
Hafeez lashed out at PCB on Usama Mir’s NOC Denial
Hafeez hit out at the board, questioning where the Pakistani fans and media were now, given their prior criticisms of him during his time as Pakistan cricket team director and head coach.
Hafeez alleged that he was denounced for various reasons, such as the NOC policy, and wondered why the defenders of Pakistan cricket were now silent. He hinted that his dismissal from the role was linked to the NOC controversy.
Hafeez stated, Five months ago, during my two-month directorship with the Pakistan team, all Pakistani sports media and paid social media trends criticized me for various reasons, such as the NOC policy. Who should bear the blame for Usama Mir’s NOC denial now??? It’s a mutual agreement between players and PCB on a central contract.
Also Read:
