Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen Ul Haq not to play IPL anymore?

The writing was on the wall and it did happen. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) decided to delay the 2024 annual central contracts for national players, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, and Naveen Ul Haq.

Not only that but the Board opted not to grant them 'No Objection Certificates' (NOCs) for the next two years following their intention to be released from their annual central contracts.

The news means that the three players might not play in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Mujeeb was bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024 Auction, while Fazalhaq and Naveen are expected to play for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants respectively.

'The insistence on not signing the central contract for these players was their involvement in commercial leagues, prioritizing their personal interests over playing for Afghanistan, which is regarded as a national responsibility. By opting for their release, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to take disciplinary measures against these players,' read an official statement from ACB.

'The three players formally communicated their decision to the ACB, expressing their desire to release themselves from the annual central contract, starting from 1st January 2024, as well as requested to consider their consent for their participation in the national events,' the statement added.

The committee presented the following recommendations to the ACB's top management:

1. Not Awarding Central Contracts: Starting from January 1, 2024, the three players shall not be eligible for the central contract for one year. In this case, ACB will consider and decide their participation in events when needed.
2. Delay Granting No Objection Certificates (NOCs): Consideration of these players as non-eligible to obtain No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for two years. All current NOCs shall be revoked immediately.
3. Transparently communicate ACB's stance to the cricketing community, including the ICC, the ACC, Member Countries/Cricket Boards, and the Afghanistan Public.