Pakistan captain Babar Azam, wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan and pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi are yet to get No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the nation’s Cricket Board (PCB) to participate in the Global T20 Canada league. The PCB on Tuesday issued NOCs to 12 players for different leagues but the trio, who are in the top bracket of central contracts, is still waiting for clearance. “The PCB is not comfortable with the status of the Global League and has sought some information from the organisers and ICC, which is why the issuance of NOCs has been delayed,” a PCB official said.

The Global T20 Canada League is scheduled to be held from July 25 till August 11, while Pakistan’s Test series against Bangladesh at home starts around August 19.

The players who were issued NOCs for different leagues, include Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf and Zaman Khan for the USA Major League from July 4 to 28, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Hasnain, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan for Lanka Premier League, which is already underway and ends on July 21, Fakhar Zaman for the Caribbean Premier League from August 29 to October 6, Usama Mir for the Hundred from July 23 to August 20 and Mohammad Amir for county cricket.

Surprisingly the PCB has not given clearance to youngsters Saim Ayub and Azam Khan for the CPL.

Shadab, Salman and Hasnain are already in Sri Lanka.

Former India opener Virender Sehwag has lashed out at the Pakistan duo of Wahaz Riaz and Mohammad Amir. Wahaz, who called time on his international cricketer career last year, is currently the chief selector of the Pakistan national men’s selection committee. He was appointed in the role in November. Months after Riaz taking up the new role, Amir, who too had hanged up his boots from international cricket, made a comeback into the national team. Highlighting the turn of events, Sehwag questioned the intent of Riaz as the selection committee head.

“Wahaz Riaz and Mohammad Amir are the two names who used to give their opinions on Pakistan TV news channels against their national team. Now one of them is a selector and the other is in playing XI. They were criticising the team once and now when they have come to power, what are they doing?” Sehwag said on Cricbuzz during a discussion.

“Amir has played with me so let’s take him in the team,” said Sehwag while point fingers at Wahab. “This can’t be done,” said the former India opener.

“Now that Ajit Agarkar is the chairman of selectors for BCCI, he would say ‘Come on Viru, I’ll help you make a comeback into the team’. This is not done. You have to see the future. You have become a selector, you have a job in hand. Use it in the right way, don’t do favours,” he added.

The Pakistan cricket team has come under a lot of criticism after an early exit from the ongoing T20 World Cup. The team suffered a disappointing loss to United States while also failing to chase down 120-run target against India in the first round. These all collectively put the entire team under the scanner.

There have been rumours that the captain and players of the Pakistan cricket team might be changed after the defending champions’ poor performance in the T20 mega event

Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria slammed Wasim Akram and other ex-Pakistan cricketers who criticised the current Pakistan team. Kaneria said that instead of criticising from the outside, Akram and other cricketers should instead come and help the side. Pakistan were knocked out of the 2024 T20 World Cup at the group stage, after losses to India and the USA. Kaneria’s reaction comes after Wasim Akram had put out a public rant on social media, demanding a new team be formed for Pakistan.

“Wasim Akram and other people can only preach from the outside. Why don’t they come help the Pakistan side?” asked Kaneria. “Why did Wasim Akram not pose the question about Mohammad Amir‘s selection immediately?” Kaneria told Sports Now.

“Shoaib Malik is a better player than these guys (the current squad),” he added.

The former leg-spinner said that Pakistan’s preparations leading up to the 2024 T20 World Cup had not been up to the mark. He raised special concern over the selections of Mohammad Amir and Azam Khan.

“They (Pakistan) should’ve picked 20-22 players in the camp, and then picked the best 15,” said Kaneria. “Where were Mohammad Amir and Azam Khan six months ago?” blasted Kaneria.

Kaneria slammed the Pakistan team’s management of not being able to make firm decisions.

“They will wake up in the morning and say one thing, and then take a U-turn in the evening. They’re the masters of the U-turn,” said Kaneria.

“They’re egoistic and think they cannot make mistakes,” he added.

Kaneria also criticised the decision to hand back captaincy to Babar Azam, and suggested that he should bat at no. 3 in T20Is, letting Fakhar Zaman open the innings with Mohammad Rizwan.

Babar Azam scored 122 runs in four matches at the 2024 T20 World Cup, but at a strike rate of just 101.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam and five other players including Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, and Azam Khan have decided to spend their holidays in London before returning to Pakistan after their disastrous T20 World Cup campaign. The six players will not land in Pakistan with the rest of the squad on Tuesday. The above-mentioned players plan to spend time with friends and family in London. Some are also thinking about playing in local leagues in the United Kingdom, according to a report in The Express Tribune.

Meanwhile, head coach Gary Kirsten and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood will head to their respective homes. With no immediate engagements on the horizon, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has permitted the coaching staff to return to their countries, the report added.

Pakistan had a terrible outing in Group A of the ongoing T20 World Cup which ended with a narrow three-wicket win against Ireland on Sunday in their last fixture.

They suffered defeats against co-hosts USA, and arch-rivals India before defeating Canada by seven wickets.

With four points in as many games, Pakistan finished third in their group and missed the Super Eight berth with India and USA sealing their spots after the top two finish.

Pakistan team will now take on Bangladesh in the two-match home Test series in August, followed by England’s tour of Pakistan in October.