I feel it’s wrong to not give NOCs to Naveen, Mujeeb and Farooqi for two years: Aakash Chopra

Hosting JioCinema’s daily sports show ‘#AAKASHVANI’, Aakash Chopra spoke about the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s (ACB) decision to not grant No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to Naveen-ul Haq, Mujeeb ur Rahman, and Fazal Haq Farooqi. 

On the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s (ACB) decision to not grant No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to Naveen-ul Haq, Mujeeb ur Rahman, and Fazal Haq Farooqi, leading to uncertainty over their participation in the IPL 2024 

Aakash Chopra: Irony is dying because you are not giving them contracts. You are not giving them opportunities. These players are becoming noteworthy not because the Afghanistan Cricket Board is doing a great job, but because they are playing franchise cricket. They go and play cricket in different countries. I feel it’s wrong not to give them NOCs for two years. The players have already said that they make their living outside Afghanistan.

They are being told to prioritize the country’s interests. But if their interests are not protected, if they are not allowed to make a living, then what are they supposed to do? Having said this, this decision has increased the headache of three IPL franchises Lucknow, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. Finding their replacement at the eleventh hour may be difficult. But we have still not heard the last word on this decision. There may still be a twist in this story. 

He also spoke to batter Punam Raut on the episode about her expectations from the ODI series between India Women and Australia Women at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai starting December 28. 

On India’s strength with spinners like Saika Ishaque and Shreyanka Patil coming in for the ODI series against Australia starting tomorrow

Punam Raut: Many spinners like Sneh Rana and Deepti Sharma have impressed recently in the Test series. We are moving from red-ball to white-ball cricket. So, the spinners may not get that much turn. But I feel players like Shreyanka Patil, who is doing well, and someone like Mannat Kashyap if given a chance can impress too. I feel we should not focus on big names only and give players who are performing well a chance.  

On Australia’s weakness against spin 

Punam Raut: The Australian team knows how to make comebacks. They have played a lot of cricket in India previously. I remember we won a series against them in 2016 in Australia but they have not given us a chance to win in India. So they are that strong and have a lot of experience.  

On India’s weak links 

Punam Raut: I think India’s weak link is fielding. The other thing is batting, because except Smriti Mandhana no other batter has impressed in white-ball cricket. If we are to beat a team like Australia, then it’s important that the top five batters succeed. If we are to beat them in ODIs, it’s important to score about 300 runs because Australia are experienced and enjoy a good ODI record.  

On India’s chances in the series 

Punam Raut: The win in the two Test matches against England and Australia will boost the team’s morale. There’s been a lot of changes in the team. There’s a new coach, and new staff, so obviously there are changes in strategies and mindset. The atmosphere in the team has changed. They are helping each other, they are backing each other, and enjoying each other’s performances. These things matter a lot.