ACB sanctions, delays central contracts of Mujeeb, Naveen and Farooqi

Dec. 26 - Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to sanction Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Fazalhaq Farooqi for prioritising ‘personal interests over playing for Afghanistan.’

On December 25, the ACB (Afghanistan Cricket Board) released a statement saying that three of their premier national players, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Naveen-ul-Haq will have their central contracts delayed and won’t be provided No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for the next two years.

This development comes after the three players had requested the board to be released from central contracts. All three players are active in various franchise T20 leagues around the world including the IPL.

The board statement mentioned that disciplinary action has been taken against them since they have prioritised personal interests over representing Afghanistan.

“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,” read ACB’s release. “By opting for their release, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to take disciplinary measures against these players.”

ACB assigned a committee to investigate the issue and provide ‘recommendations that best serve the ACB’s interests’. According to them, the three players in question had requested to be released from central contracts.

“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,” said a committee member.

The committee’s recommendations include not awarding central contracts to Mujeeb, Naveen, and Farooqi for a year, starting January 1, 2024 and denying them NOCs for two years as well as revoking all current NOCs that might be active.

The players can still be considered for selection in the national team as and when ACB deems fit, but their participation in the IPL and other leagues like the Big Bash or the Abu Dhabi T10 where these players have deals, hangs in the balance.

Afghanistan are currently in the UAE for two 50-over tour games and three T20Is. None of these players are in the squad for the 50 over games, while there’s no confirmation regarding the T20 squad yet.