Young Pakistani fast bowler Naseem Shah will be absent from the upcoming 2024 edition of The Hundred league, scheduled to commence in the third week of July. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly declined to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) allowing Shah to participate in the tournament.
The fourth installment of The Hundred kicks off on July 24, with the Birmingham Phoenix taking on the Oval Invincibles in the inaugural match. This unique tournament format involves eight men’s and women’s teams representing major cities across England and Wales. Each team plays matches featuring 100 balls, delivered in sets of five balls per over.
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has declined to issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi for their participation in the Global T20 League in Canada. Naqvi emphasized that players must prioritize their commitments to the national team over engagements in overseas leagues.
Naseem Shah Denied NOC To Play In The Hundred 2024
Naseem Shah had secured a substantial deal with Birmingham Phoenix for The Hundred, reportedly valued at £125,000. However, recent updates reveal that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has declined to issue him a No Objection Certificate (NOC). This decision is said to be rooted in concerns over workload management, reflecting the PCB’s commitment to monitoring and safeguarding the young pacer’s fitness and well-being.
Per local Pakistani media, the PCB’s decision to deny Naseem Shah a No Objection Certificate (NOC) is aimed at safeguarding the fast bowler from potential injuries and ensuring effective management of his workload. Geo News highlighted that the PCB took this precautionary step after assessing Shah’s application, taking into account his ongoing fitness concerns.
Following shoulder surgery in October 2023, medical advice prescribed a recovery and rehabilitation period of four to six weeks for Shah. This sidelined him from the 2023 ODI World Cup, where Pakistan were eliminated in the group stage. The injury subsequently led to a prolonged absence from competitive cricket, lasting approximately three to four months.
Shaheen Afridi Can Miss Bangladesh Test matches – Jason Gillespie
Pakistan’s cricket calendar for the upcoming season is packed, starting with a significant two-match Test series against Bangladesh commencing on August 21. This series holds crucial importance as part of Pakistan’s campaign in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-2025 cycle. The team is focused on delivering strong performances to enhance their prospects of qualifying for the championship final.
Jason Gillespie, the head coach for Pakistan’s red-ball cricket, hinted at the potential absence of Shaheen Shah Afridi from the Test series against Bangladesh. This decision stems from Afridi’s wife, Ansha, who is expecting their first child. Gillespie indicated that Afridi might be granted leave to support his family during this significant personal moment.
“Shaheen can miss Bangaladesh Test matches due to childbirth. We can give him [some] rest if he wants to stay with his wife till then,” said Pakistan’s red-ball coach Jason Gillispie as quoted from Geo News.
Pakistan will play a two-match Test series against Bangladesh. The first Test match will take place in Rawalpindi from August 21-25, and the second Test will be played in Karachi from August 30 to September 3.
