Anwar Ali unhappy with PCB’s stand on stopping players from taking part in global leagues

Discarded Pakistan limited-overs cricketer Anwar Ali has expressed disappointment over his country’s cricket board saying it should review its new policies about stopping players from taking part in global leagues.

The 31-year-old bowling all-rounder’s reaction came after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revoked the no-objection certificates (NoCs) of many players for the upcoming T10 League in Abu Dhabi. Anwar was supposed to play for the Deccan Gladiators in the tournament. He appealed to the PCB to rethink its stand so that players can take part in domestic leagues globally.

The third edition of the T10 League kicks off on Friday and will continue till November 24. Talking to the media at the National Stadium in Karachi after the third day’s play of Quaid-Azam Trophy’s round seven, Anwar said, “We are allowed to play two international leagues according to the contract which we have signed with the board. However, it was their decision to withdraw our NoC for the T10 league and we respected it.”

Anwar Ali also speaks on dissolving department cricket

Anwar, who is playing for Sindh in the domestic tournament, also spoke over the PCB’s decision to dissolve departmental cricket which affected the livelihood of several cricketers by snatching their employments, “Dissolving departmental cricket caused problems for cricketers. Many lost their jobs and forced to do odd jobs. But, in the end, as a professional, we have to accept PCB’s policies,” Anwar said.

The PCB has taken a number of decisions of late to improve the country’s domestic cricket structure after the coming of former captain Imran Khan to power in August last year. A number of changes have also been made in the national team’s set-up with new coaches and captains for different formats. Results haven’t changed too much though as Pakistan went on to lose two back-to-back T20I series after the World Cup.

Anwar, who played 22 ODIs and 16 T20Is between 2008 and 2016 to claim 28 international scalps, has a decent batting record in domestic cricket. He has nine fifties in first-class and 12 in List A cricket. However, injuries and changes in his bowling action have affected his performance, Anwar has conceded.

“Ups and downs are a part of a cricketer’s career. I always try to focus on my game and improve it as much as I can,” he said.