Afghanistan Board bans three players from franchise cricket; IPL participation in jeopardy

Afghanistan Cricket Board has recently imposed a ban as they have restricted their star players Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman from participating in franchise Cricket to prioritise and focus more on their national duties for the Afghanistan cricket team. 

The players’ careers in the world’s biggest cricket league the Indian Premier League (IPL) have also been put in jeopardy as they have become doubtful for participation in the tournament’s 17th season of IPL 2024. Kolkata Knight Riders, Lucknow Super Giants and Sunrisers Hyderabad, which have shown faith in Mujeeb, Naveen and Farooqi respectively, would have to come up with backup plans. 

Afghanistan Cricket Board’s statement on banning their players

The Afghanistan Cricket Board recently released a statement on the matter, the statement read, “ACB Impose Sanctions and Delay Central Contracts of Three National Players. The Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to delay the 2024 annual central contracts for national players, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, and Naveen Ul Haq Mureed. Additionally, the Board has opted not to grant them No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for the next two years following their intention to be released from their annual central contracts.”

The statement further added, “The committee presented the following recommendations to the ACB’s top management:

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.

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.

Transparently communicate ACB’s stance to the cricketing community, including the Apex Cricket Council, the Afghanistan Cricket Board, Member Countries/Cricket Boards, and the Afghanistan Public.

“The decision by the Afghanistan Cricket Board is made with a focus on national priorities, aligned with the ACB’s core values and principles. It highlights the necessity for every player to maintain the ACB’s principles and prioritize the country’s interests above their ones”, the statement concluded.