Lahore, July 18: Former Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad has voiced his concerns about the lack of transparency within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOC), which players need to participate in overseas leagues.
Shehzad claims that the PCB officials show favoritism when granting NOCs, only providing them to players who have influence or are favored by the board.
He argues that players with whom the board has personal differences often face unnecessary obstacles in obtaining these certificates.
“In Pakistan cricket, the process of obtaining and granting NOCs has never been smooth. There is a lot of favoritism involved,” said Ahmed Shehzad. “Within the PCB, favoritism is rampant even in these matters. They issue NOCs to their like-minded players or those who have some influence. When they want to unnecessarily hassle someone, they withhold their NOC,” he added.
Shehzad has previously criticized the leadership within the Pakistan team for making selections based on friendships rather than merit. He pointed to the example of leg-spinner Shadab Khan, who was granted an NOC to play in the Lanka Premier League despite underperforming for Pakistan. Shehzad believes that players who deliver poor performances should not be allowed to participate in overseas leagues.
In contrast, the PCB denied Naseem Shah permission to participate in The Hundred due to workload management concerns. Similar reasons were cited for preventing players like Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan from playing in GT20 Canada.Shehzad’s comments have sparked a debate about the fairness and transparency of the PCB’s processes, highlighting the need for a more equitable approach in granting NOCs to ensure that all players are treated fairly and based on merit rather than personal connections or influence.Shehzad’s allegations have cast a spotlight on the internal workings of the PCB, calling for a reassessment of how NOCs are granted. As the debate intensifies, it underscores the necessity for the PCB to implement transparent and merit-based policies to restore trust among players and fans alike. Ensuring fairness and accountability in such processes is crucial for the integrity and future success of Pakistan cricket. (Agencies)
