The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has sanctioned Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Naveen Ul Haq for wanting to opt out of central contracts and go freelance in T20 leagues.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board special committee suggested the board not offer No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to them for the next 2 years. In addition, the ACB delayed their 2024 annual central contracts for the same period. Any prior NOC given to them will also be revoked.
This has put the trio’s participation in the upcoming IPL 2024 in danger. Mujeeb was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders while Fazalhaq and Naveen are expected to play for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants respectively.
"The three players formally communicated their decision to the ACB, expressing their desire to release themselves from the annual central contract, starting from 1st January 2024, as well as requested to consider their consent for their participation in the national events," a committee member was quoted in an official statement of ACB on Monday.
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"The insistence on not signing the central contract for these players was their involvement in commercial leagues, prioritizing their personal interests over playing for Afghanistan, which is regarded as a national responsibility. By opting for their release, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to take disciplinary measures against these players,” the statement further read.
The committee presented the following recommendations to the ACB's top management:
1. Not Awarding Central Contracts: Starting from January 1, 2024, the three players shall not be eligible for the central contract for one year. In this case, ACB will consider and decide their participation in events when needed.
2. Delay Granting No Objection Certificates (NOCs): Consideration of these players as non-eligible to obtain No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for two years. All current NOCs shall be revoked immediately.
3. Transparently communicate ACB's stance to the cricketing community, including the ICC, the ACC, Member Countries/Cricket Boards, and the Afghanistan Public.
(ANI/ACB inputs)
