The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) recently sanctioned Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Fazalhaq Farooqi after their early release requests from national contracts, effective January 1. These penalties entail a two-year ban from global T20 leagues, revocation of their No Objection Certificates (NOCs), and a year’s withholding of central contracts, leaving national duty selection at the ACB’s discretion.
Mujeeb’s absence from the Melbourne Renegades’ pivotal Big Bash League (BBL) games disrupts their playoff ambitions. Despite contributing significantly with seven wickets and an impressive economy rate, his sudden unavailability poses a challenge. Renegades officials seek clarity from the ACB on Mujeeb’s status for remaining BBL fixtures amid uncertainties about his initial nine-game availability and commitments to the UAE T20 league due to NOC alterations.
The ACB’s delay in issuing annual central contracts and refusal of NOCs for global T20 leagues stems from the trio prioritizing commercial leagues over national responsibilities. A committee formed by the ACB investigates the matter, triggered by the players’ early contract release request, indicating a diversion from their commitment to Afghan cricket.
The Melbourne Renegades, following a change in Mujeeb’s NOC conditions, excluded him from the squad for the Melbourne Derby. Mujeeb, Naveen-Ul-Haq, and Fazalhaq Farooqi faced ACB sanctions for expressing intent to withdraw from central contracts. Despite previous assurances, Mujeeb’s altered NOC conditions led to his exclusion from the Renegades’ squad. The trio’s actions drew the ACB’s ire against prioritizing franchise-based leagues over national duties, affecting their participation and raising uncertainties about Mujeeb’s IPL 2024 stint with Kolkata Knight Riders.
