BBL 2023-24: Mujeeb ur Rahman removed from Melbourne Renegades' squad following ACB sanctions

Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb-ur-Rahman has been left out of Melbourne Renegades’ next fixture in the Big Bash League 2023-24 against Melbourne Stars on Tuesday, January 2 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne after sanctions imposed by ACB (Afghanistan Cricket Board).

Notably, Mujeeb along with his teammates Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi have been sanctioned by the ACB for prioritising personal interests over playing for their country. The trio had expressed their desire to be left out of the national contracts to ply their trade in the T20 leagues across the globe.

However, the request didn’t go down well with the ACB who imposed sanctions on the players which included no NOCs (No Objection Certificates) for the trio to play T20 leagues for the next two years and a revoking of any NOC currently provided.

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

Earlier, the Renegades management had stated that they had received no communication regarding Mujeeb’s unavailability for future games and they will continue to support him for the remainder of the season. However, they issued a fresh statement on Monday, January 1 announcing his removal from the squad.

"Mujeeb Ur Rahman has been removed from the squad after a change to his NOC conditions made him unavailable for the match,” said Melbourne Renegades in a statement.

Mujeeb helped Renegades win first game of the season

Mujeeb was a part of the XI during Renegades’ last fixture against Adelaide Strikers on December 29 where he registered figures of 3/20 in four overs and helped his side win their first game of the season. The right-arm spinner is the joint-fourth-highest wicket-taker of the season so far with seven wickets to his name from six innings at an average of 22.42 and an economy of 7.47.

Also Check: BBL 2023-24: Smashed for four, Mujeeb Ur Rahman takes two wickets in next three balls against Adelaide Strikers

Meanwhile, the other two players Naveen and Farooqi have approached the ACB expressing their desire to play for their country again. As a result, the duo was named in Afghanistan's 18-member squad for the ongoing T20I series against UAE but Mujeeb failed to find a spot.

The T20I series is currently levelled 1-1 after Afghanistan won the first game and UAE won the second fixture by 11 runs. The third and final match of the series will be played on Tuesday, January 2 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah.