Highly-rated young batters Saim Ayub and Azam Khan from Pakistan, known for their prowess in T20 cricket, have been denied No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024. This decision follows the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) policy that restricts centrally and domestically contracted players from participating in more than two overseas leagues annually.
CPL 2024 Participation in Jeopardy
Both Ayub and Khan have been retained by their respective CPL teams, but they will now have to find replacements ahead of the season, which is scheduled to start on August 30th. The PCB’s contract policy, alongside its right to refuse an NOC to maintain players’ fitness and manage workload, played a crucial role in this decision.
PCB’s Strategic Move
The PCB also retains the right to withhold an NOC if a player is needed for domestic duties. Both Ayub and Khan played for Guyana in the last season, where Ayub made headlines with his power-hitting and consistency at the top of the order. However, at the international level, both players have yet to deliver on their potential.
Future Prospects and PCB’s Expectations
The PCB is hoping that Ayub and Khan will translate their talent into performances at the national level, especially after Pakistan’s group stage exit in the T20 World Cup 2024. This move is seen as part of a broader strategy to focus on domestic cricket and ensure players are fit and ready for national duties.