(Source X)
Shoaib Malik, the seasoned all-rounder, recently shared his support for PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s stance on withholding No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for players. Malik emphasized the prioritization of national commitments over franchise cricket.
The PCB’s decision affected players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, and Naseem Shah, who were denied NOCs to participate in various international leagues. According to Naqvi, this decision was made due to Pakistan’s densely scheduled cricket calendar.
Speaking to Cricket Pakistan, Shoaib Malik voiced his support for the PCB’s emphasis on national team commitments. Malik underscored the importance of managing the workload of Pakistani players in preparation for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. He also expressed concern over the financial impact on players who may miss out on lucrative contracts due to these priorities.
“Look, they have prioritized the national team and considered the workload so that your players can stay fresh. The Champions Trophy is not too far away, so they have taken everything into account and decided not to give the NOC,” Malik said.
“In my opinion, this is a good thing because the country comes first. However, there should be mutual understanding to ensure that players do not suffer. If there are large numbers involved, the central contract should be such that at the end of the day, players don’t feel the sting of losing a lucrative contract,” he added.
Pakistan’s cricket calendar is packed with exciting fixtures ahead. They will kick off with a two-match Test series against Bangladesh starting August 21. Following this, the Men in Green will gear up to host England for a Test series in October. In November, Pakistan’s itinerary includes a white-ball series in Australia, featuring both T20Is and ODIs.
Continuing their busy schedule, Pakistan will then head to Zimbabwe for another white-ball series, followed by a tour to South Africa for matches across all formats in November and December. Returning home in January, they will face the West Indies in red-ball encounters. The highlight of their upcoming commitments is hosting the prestigious Champions Trophy in Pakistan in February 2025.
Shoaib Malik emphasized that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) ought to ensure fair compensation for players who miss out on lucrative league opportunities due to denied No Objection Certificates (NOCs). The veteran cricketer suggested that such compensation should align with the figures in central contracts, ensuring equitable treatment for the players affected.
“It’s okay that I’m losing it for the country, but players also deserve not to suffer so much that it becomes a mental torture. So, the numbers in the central contract should be such that if you don’t allow them to go like they aren’t giving the NOC now, the board has made a good decision, but at the same time, there should also be compensation for the players,” Malik further said.
Following the Men in Green’s premature exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup, the PCB took decisive action by removing Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq from the selection committee. In response to this setback, Mohsin Naqvi has introduced mandatory fitness tests every three months to ensure players’ readiness for international competition.
While player salaries remain unchanged, the PCB has announced a revision of central contracts on an annual basis, aiming to align them with performance and strategic goals.
