Afghanistan Cricket Board imposes sanctions on Naveen Ul Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Fazal Haq Farooqi for commercial league prioritization

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) made a big decision and took disciplinary action against three of their national team players by delaying their national contracts. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, and Naveen Ul Haq Mureed are the three players in question whose contracts have been delayed and the No Objection Certificates (NOCs) have been withheld for the next two years. 

The big decision of the board came forward after the three players expressed their intentions to be released from the central contracts as they wanted to prioritise franchise cricket. The ACB contended that players opting for franchised leagues over their national side were a breach of their national responsibility. Furthermore, the ACB initiated a comprehensive investigation to address the issue. 

“The three players formally communicated their decision to the ACB, expressing their desire to release themselves from the annual central contract, starting from January 1, 2024, as well as requested to consider their consent for their participation in national events,” a committee member was quoted as saying by amu.tv.

The following sanctions mean that the three players will be ineligible for Afghanistan's central contract for one year. Furthermore, the ACB will consider the players’ participation in events on a case-by-case basis. They will also be non-eligible to obtain NOCs for two years, and all existing NOCs will be immediately revoked.

Afghanistan gear up for T20I series against UAE

As for Afghanistan’s on-field assignments, the side will be gearing up for their upcoming T20I series against the UAE. It is worth noting that both sides kick off the series on Friday, December 29. After facing the UAE, Afghanistan will then go on to take on the Indian team in a three-game T20I series.

These games can prove to be good practice for the side, especially with the T20 World Cup around the corner.