The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has taken disciplinary action against three national players—Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, and Naveen Ul Haq Mureed—by delaying their 2024 annual central contracts and withholding No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for the next two years.
This decision comes as a response to the players expressing their intention to be released from their annual central contracts, citing their involvement in commercial leagues.
The ACB contends that the players’ prioritization of personal interests over representing Afghanistan in international competitions is a breach of their national responsibility.
To address this issue, the ACB initiated a comprehensive investigation, forming a dedicated committee to develop recommendations in the best interests of the board.
A committee member commented, “The three players formally communicated their decision to the ACB, expressing their desire to release themselves from the annual central contract, starting from January 1, 2024, as well as requested to consider their consent for their participation in national events.”
The recommendations presented to the ACB’s top management include the following measures:
Not Awarding Central Contracts: The three players will be ineligible for the central contract for one year, starting from January 1, 2024. The ACB will consider their participation in events on a case-by-case basis.
Delay Granting No Objection Certificates (NOCs): The players will be considered non-eligible to obtain NOCs for two years, and all existing NOCs will be immediately revoked.
The ACB emphasizes transparent communication of its stance to the cricketing community, including the International Cricket Council (ICC), the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), member countries/cricket boards, and the Afghan public.
