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.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has come under the fire line of former cricketers following the aftermath of their T20 World Cup disaster. With Pakistan exiting the tournament in the group stage, Babar’s future as captain has come under major scrutiny of former Pakistan players, who have also questioned his place in the team. The star batter has been accused of influencing selection process by favouring players that do not fit into the system. Reports have also emerged that senior pros like Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan are also not happy with Babar’s re-appointment as captain, and they should be the ones leading the team.

Amid the debate regarding Babar’s future as captain, former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has identified his ideal replacement. Younis feels that the PCB should appoint Fakhar Zaman as captain of the team, pointing out the southpaw’s past and recent performances.

“Why can’t Fakhar Zaman be the captain of the side isn’t he a performer? Didn’t he do well in the last 50-over World Cup? Who is that one player who gave us hope? Zaman started the 2023 World Cup in India poorly however, in the second half turned his form around which coincided with Pakistan’s success. His blistering starts at the top kept Pakistan in contention however, it was too little too late for them to go further in the tournament,” Younis said on PTV Sports.

Babar Azam aur Rizwan ki Wajha se Fakhar zaman ko. Sacrifice karna pada. #younuskhanpic.twitter.com/KvrCulpq7p

— Qamar Raza (@Rizzvi73) June 17, 2024

Younis pointed out that Fakhar has sacrificed his opening slot for Babar by batting down the order, when ideally, he should be the one leading the line.

“Who is that one player in the side who is leaving his opening slot and batting down at four or five or six? Who is sacrificing his place? Fakhar Zaman! Why won’t you make him the captain?,” he added.

Fakhar was Pakistan’s top performer during the ODI World Cup last year. Not only that, he scored a century in the final of the 2017 Champions Trophy when Pakistan beat India to claim the title.

However, over the past few years, Fakhar’s role has been limited with the management trying to accomodate Babar and Rizwan as the openers.

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.