Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris is set to return from Dhaka without taking part in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) declined to issue him a No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Haris had arrived in Dhaka with the intention of representing Chattogram Challengers in the BPL's tenth edition. However, his request for an NOC was denied by the PCB, citing his participation in two leagues since July 2023 as the reason.
Haris participated in the Global T20 Canada tournament in July, followed by his involvement in the Lanka Premier League in August of 2023..
In an Instagram story, Haris shared a picture revealing his packed bags and the planned travel route back to Peshawar. The image also featured emojis depicting a home and a zipped mouth, perhaps expressing his disappointment or frustration at the turn of events.
Similarly, NOCs were also withheld for Saim Ayub, Zaman Khan, Fakhar Zaman, and Iftikhar Ahmed, preventing their participation in the BPL. Fakhar had been signed by Fortune Barishal, Iftikhar and Zaman by Comilla Victorians, and Saim Ayub by Durdanto Dhaka.
Interestingly, wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan has also taken part in two leagues (GT20 Canada and Caribbean Premier League) since July 2023, but he has been issued NOC for the ongoing second season of International League T20 (ILT20). Since Azam is not under a central contract, he is not bound by the same obligation as Haris, who holds a central contract, to participate in only two leagues.
Meanwhile, Babar Azam, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Mohammad Rizwan, and Abbas Afridi will embark on their journey from Christchurch to Dhaka on Monday.
Rizwan is slated to exhibit his skills with the Comilla Victorians, Babar Azam will be seen in action for the Rangpur Riders, and Mohammad Wasim Jr is geared up to represent the Khulna Tigers. Abbas Afridi will join Shoaib Malik at Fortune Barishal.
The likes of Usman Qadir, Faheem Ashraf, and Khushdil Shah are already taking part in BPL 2024 season, which began on January 19.