LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), after an extended delay, has finally granted NOCs to fast bowlers Haris Rauf and Zaman Khan and leg-spinner Usama Mir for their participation in Australia’s Big Bash League.

While Haris and Usama have been allowed to play five matches, Zaman’s participation in the league has been restricted to four games.

All three players are centrally contracted by the PCB and according to the agreement, they are bound to participate in only two foreign T20 leagues and are required to prioritise their availability for the national team.

Haris, who opted to skip Pakistan’s upcoming three-match Test series against Australia, secured the NOC despite initial concerns. The express fast bowler’s decision came under heavy criticism of by Pakistan’s newly appointed chief selector Wahab Riaz.

Wahab had revealed in a press conference last month that Haris had initially agreed to be selected for the Australia tour but pulled out at the very last moment citing fitness concerns.

“Our physio spoke to him and said he wouldn’t expect any issue or injury,” he had said. “Of course there’s fatigue, but we were sure we could have managed that very well.

“But he pulled out at the last moment and he made himself unavailable. I think this will hurt Pakistan cricket.”

The PCB emphasised that the issuance of NOCs considers the players’ workload and the national team’s future tour schedule.

“The PCB understands that this decision is in the best interests of all the stakeholders involved while balancing the importance of game time with workload management,” stated the PCB.

Haris and Usama will be seen in action for Melbourne Stars while Zaman will feature for Sydney Thunder.

The league starts on December 13 and runs until February 4.

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2023