Worcestershire Rapids Sign Hayden Walsh as Usama Mir Misses Out on T20 Blast Due to PCB NOC Policy

Pakistan leg-spinner Usama Mir’s dream run in the English county circuit has been cut short after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) denied him a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate in the upcoming T20 Blast with Worcestershire Rapids. This decision leaves a gap in the Rapids’ bowling attack, but they’ve moved swiftly to secure a replacement in the form of West Indian spinner Hayden Walsh.

Mir’s Denied NOC and Conflicting Schedules

Mir, a key player for Worcestershire Rapids last season, was expected to be available throughout the T20 Blast after being omitted from Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad. However, the PCB’s policy regarding NOCs for centrally contracted players proved to be a hurdle. According to their regulations, players are only allowed to participate in two overseas franchise T20 leagues per year, in addition to the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

While Mir hadn’t signed his central contract when he played in The Hundred last August, it was backdated to the start of July, effectively counting it as his first league appearance. He was then called back by the PCB for a T20I series in New Zealand, leading to a premature exit from the Big Bash League (BBL) after just five appearances. The PCB maintains that “all NOCs are subject to national duty,” explaining their decision on Mir’s BBL participation.

Worcestershire Look to Walsh to Fill the Void

Given Mir’s limited BBL stint, both the player and Worcestershire were optimistic about securing an NOC for the Blast. However, the PCB’s firm stance on the “PSL + 2” policy left them with no choice but to find a replacement. Worcestershire CEO, Ashley Giles, expressed his disappointment but remains confident about their new signing.

“While it’s unfortunate that Usama couldn’t join us, we are confident that Hayden will fit in seamlessly and make a valuable contribution to our campaign,” Giles said.

Hayden Walsh Steps In as Replacement

Stepping into Mir’s shoes is West Indian leg-spinner Hayden Walsh, who is currently named as one of the five reserves for the T20 World Cup squad. The recommendation for Walsh came from the recently departed Worcestershire player, Jason Holder.

“Hayden is a versatile and talented cricketer whose skills will be a great asset to our squad,” Giles said, highlighting Walsh’s potential. Walsh himself echoed the enthusiasm, expressing his excitement about the opportunity.

“I am thrilled to join Worcestershire and be part of such a prestigious club,” Walsh said. “Both Jason and Alzarri [Joseph] have said a lot of good things about the club and the group of players, and I look forward to contributing to the team’s success.”

With the T20 Blast kicking off on Thursday night, Worcestershire will be hoping for a smooth transition with Walsh joining their ranks. They face Yorkshire in their opening match, where they might also see the debut of young players Josh Cobb and Tom Taylor. While Mir’s absence is a setback, Worcestershire will be aiming to capitalise on Walsh’s talent and maintain their strong showing in the T20 Blast.

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