ACB postpones central contract; Denies NOCs to Mujeeb, Farooqi, Naveen

ACB has refused to give NOC and postponed the central contract to Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Farooqi and Naveen Ul Haq.

Naveen Ul Haq, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Fazal Farooqi (credit: Twitter)

New Delhi: The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has decided to defer the central contract and deny NOCs to Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Farooqi and Naveen Ul Haq for the next two years. The board has also decided to take disciplinary action against the three cricketers for prioritizing franchise leagues over playing for Afghanistan, which is considered a national responsibility.

“The focus of these players not signing the central contract was their involvement in commercial competitions, where their personal interests were prioritized over playing for Afghanistan, which is considered a national responsibility. In opting for their release, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to take disciplinary action against these players,” ACB said in a press release.

“In response, the ACB has appointed a special committee to thoroughly investigate the matter, develop appropriate recommendations that best serve the interests of the ACB, and share them with the ACB’s top management. A committee member said: ‘The three players have formally communicated their decision to the ACB, expressing their wish to release themselves from the annual central contract, which will take effect on January 1, 2024, and requesting their consent to their participation in the national events to consider. .’”

“The committee presented the following recommendations to the ACB’s top management:

“Do not award central contracts: from January 1, 2024, the three players will not be eligible for the central contract for one year. In this case, ACB will consider their participation in events and decide when appropriate.”

“Deferral of grant of No Objection Certificates (NOCs): Consideration of these players as ineligible to obtain No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for two years. All current NOCs are immediately withdrawn.
Transparently communicate ACB’s position to the cricket community, including the ICC, ACC, Member States/Cricket Councils and the Afghan public.”

“The Afghanistan Cricket Board’s decision has been taken with a focus on national priorities, in line with the core values and principles of the ACB. It emphasizes the need for every player to uphold the principles of the ACB and put the interests of the country above their personal interests,” the statement said.

All three players are part of IPL franchises and ACB’s decision could also impact their involvement in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League 2024.