Two UP cricketers announce retirement but await NOC from BCCI

There are retirements flowing in from all corners of the cricketing fraternity. Players are opting out of certain formats to prolong their careers. However, it’s just not international players who are bidding adieu to the game. Some of the domestic cricketers are also calling it a day. Despite being young, they want to retire, so that they can venture into different aspects of cricket itself, if not other fields.

In the latest, two Uttar Pradesh cricketers have decided to hang up their boots. Prashant Gupta and Imtiaz Ahmed have decided to call it a day and want to end their association with BCCI as far as active cricket is concerned.

Prashant Gupta turned out to play for Railways last year and did well in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy where had scores of 40 not out, 53 and 39. However, he struggled in the four-day format. He played four games and scored 122 runs at an average of 17.42. On the other hand, Imtiaz Ahmed played four Ranji games for Uttar Pradesh last season. He picked up 13 wickets at an average of 31.28.

Both Gupta and Ahmed want to play elsewhere and keep the fire of cricket burning inside them. Thus, Both Gupta and Ahmed had sent similar emails to the BCCI. They thanked their state associations and the BCCI for giving them opportunities but also requested for NOCs to pursue cricket overseas well. They are still young, Gupta is 31 while Ahmed is 33 and thus, they want to ply their trade elsewhere as well.

The two cricketers who made their first-class debut for Uttar Pradesh in the same match in 2008 have written a mail to the BCCI and their state association. While the state association has got back to them, they still await a NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the BCCI.

Prashant Gupta said that all good things come to an end and thus, he is taking this decision. Moreover, he doesn’t see himself playing for India in the near future which is the main reason for this call. Also, he doesn’t want the same routine to follow year after year. In fact, he did mention that he was looking for some freshness and hence, wants to play in T20 leagues overseas.

The 31-year-old batsman is already in talks with a few clubs but is waiting for a NOC from the BCCI. He also received a call from the state association (Railways) asking him to reconsider the decision as Gupta is still in the scheme of things for the few next years.

However, the right-handed batsman still awaits the NOC so that he can only quit as an active cricketer from the BCCI. Also, he is grateful for all the support he’s got from the BCCI. He doesn’t want to come across as a rebel and in fact, he is pretty happy with the board. Like Suresh Raina, Gupta is one of those few cricketers from Uttar Pradesh that have got a ton in all three formats of the game.

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