Afghanistan Cricket Board takes shocking decision on cricketers to get NOC

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) previously refused to give a No-objection Certificate (NOC) to three players, for prioritizing personal interests over playing for the country. Early this month, the ACB issued a statement sanctioning Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Fazalhaq Farooqi, withholding their central contracts and denying them NOCs to play in abroad leagues. The ACB announced in a release on Monday, December 25, that they had chosen to take action against the trio after the players expressed a desire to be released from the yearly central contract. 

According to the ACB statement, the three players requested that the board leave them out of the central contracts and enquire about their availability before selecting them for the national squad. As a result, the ACB imposed disciplinary action on the players to protect the Afghanistan team's interests.

They also formed a special committee to investigate the matter and take action against the listed players. The committee that was appointed to deal with the problem suggested the regulatory steps to be imposed against the players. Mujeeb, who was playing for the Melbourne Renegades in the ongoing season of the Big Bash League, was dropped from the squad for the same reason. 

On Monday (January 8), ACB released another statement,  According to the modified statement, the players can now "receive central contracts and participate in franchise leagues while ensuring their full commitment to national duties and ACB’s interests."  The statement said that the players made an "unconditional approach to the ACB" and expressed "a strong desire to represent the country again", following which the board "initiated a comprehensive investigation."

Following regulatory measures to impose on the players

Final Warning and Salary Deduction: Each player shall receive a final written warning and face a specific salary deduction from their monthly earnings and/or match fees.

Limited NOCs: ACB will strictly consider the issuance of the NOCs to the respected players while prioritising the national duty and ACB’s interests.

Central Contract: ACB may grant central contracts to these players while strictly monitoring their performance and discipline in events.