Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has granted NOCs to big guns to play in the overseas league. As per the reports in Pakistan media, it is learned that the governing body has given permission to Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to play in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2024.
PCB also has given NOC to T20I skipper Shaheen Afridi to take part in the International League T20. After the changes in the system following the ouster in the ICC World Cup 2023, the governing body made things stricter and denied giving permission to players to play in an overseas league.
PCB wanted players to be fully fit and available for the national team. They recently granted NOCs to a few players to play in the Big Bash League (BBL). However, they had applied some restrictions and the players were allowed to play just a few matches in the league.
Recently there were reports that suggested that PCB is against giving NOCs to Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi. However, the recent reports have suggested something different and the trio will take part in the leagues.
NEWS – PCB has decided to issue NOC to Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, M Wasim Jr for Bangladesh Premier League whereas Shaheen Afridi will get NOC for ILT20. #PCB
— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) January 18, 2024
The second edition of the International League T20 is currently underway whereas the Bangladesh Premier League will begin from Saturday (19th January). Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi are likely to make their appearance in the leagues after the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand.
Pakistan are having a torrid time against New Zealand in the ongoing five-match series. They have lost three games on the trot and are down in the series. New skipper Shaheen Afridi hasn’t been able to make a mark and has leaked a lot of runs.
Mohammad Rizwan too has failed in three games and hasn’t scored big. Babar Azam on the other hand has been the lone warrior for the team. The batter has regained his touch back and has been sensational with the bat in the series.
Babar Azam has hit three consecutive half-centuries in the series and has batted well. But he hasn’t got the desired support from the other end. His form so far has been the biggest positive for Pakistan in the series despite them losing.
“Babar Azam proved how good he is once again” – Shaheen Afridi
After Babar Azam slammed three half-centuries, Shaheen Afridi was in awe of the batter. He said that the right-hander proved his worth and added that if a proper batter had stayed with him then could’ve won the game for the team. He told reporters:
“Babar proved how good he is once again and played three best innings in three matches. Yes, he wasn’t able to finish the game but to do that, you need some help to take the game deep. If a good batsman stayed with him at the other end then he could have finished the match.”
The fourth match between New Zealand and Pakistan will be played on 19th January. The Shaheen Afridi-led side would be hoping to make a comeback and would be trying to win the last two games at least.
