Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb-ur-Rahman faces exclusion from Melbourne Renegades’ upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) 2023-24 fixture against Melbourne Stars on January 2, 2023. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) imposed sanctions on Mujeeb and teammates Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi for opting out of national contracts to participate in T20 leagues globally.
ACB Sanctions for Prioritizing Personal Interests Over National Duties
The ACB’s sanctions include a two-year ban on No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for the trio, preventing them from participating in T20 leagues. The board expressed dissatisfaction with the players prioritizing personal interests over representing their country. The decision came after the players requested to be excluded from national contracts to pursue opportunities in T20 leagues worldwide.
Initially, Melbourne Renegades expressed support for Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, stating they had received no communication regarding his unavailability for future games. However, a change in Mujeeb’s NOC conditions led to his removal from the squad for the upcoming match against Melbourne Stars. “Mujeeb Ur Rahman has been removed from the squad after a change to his NOC conditions made him unavailable for the match.”, the Renegades informed their fans in a statement. The Renegades had previously lauded Mujeeb’s contribution in their recent victory against Adelaide Strikers.
Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi Approach ACB for National Reinstatement
While Mujeeb faces exclusion, teammates Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi have approached the ACB expressing their desire to play for Afghanistan again. Both players were named in Afghanistan’s 18-member squad for the ongoing T20I series against UAE, aiming for a national comeback. The T20I series is currently level at 1-1, with the third and final match scheduled for January 2, 2023, at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
The ACB’s sanctions have reshaped Mujeeb-ur-Rahman’s trajectory in the BBL, leading to his exclusion from Melbourne Renegades’ upcoming fixture. As the players face consequences for prioritizing personal interests, the cricketing world watches how these developments impact their future national and league commitments.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram