Pakistani pacer Usama Mir has finally broken his silence on a story that left him dejected and frustrated. Mir revealed that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) surprisingly denied him a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate in the T20 Blast earlier this year despite an initial assurance.
Mir, who was scheduled to rejoin Worcestershire Rapids for the T20 Blast after being left out of Pakistan’s squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup, was caught off guard by the PCB’s last-minute decision not to issue him an NOC despite having been assured that he would be allowed to play in the tournament in England.
Usama Mir recalls how PCB blocked his NOC for T20 Blast after promises made
The bowler had signed a deal with Worcestershire Rapids in the hope of playing in the T20 Blast, which began on May 30. However, in a shocking twist that has left cricket fans and players alike in shock, Mir’s application for the NOC was rejected after he was given assurances by the national selectors.
The drama unfolded after Mir had already travelled to England, after being assured by PCB officials and selectors that he would be granted the nomination certificate. According to Mir, former Pakistan selectors Wahab Riaz, Abdur Razzaq and Mohammad Yousuf gave him the green light to go ahead with his plans.
They had confirmed that there were no objections to his participation, prompting him to book his tickets and leave for England, and he even started practicing, but as of now, the PCB has not issued the NOC for the T20 Blast, citing that he had already played in two overseas tournaments.
The PCB cited that Mir had already used his two allotted NOCs for the season – one for the T20 Blast in August 2023 and another for the Big Bash League in December. Despite his arguments that his participation would not interfere with his central contract and his plea for the NOC to be considered for the next season, the PCB stood firm on its stance.
Mir’s hopes were dashed, damaging his relationship with the English county. Mir is currently plying his trade in The Hundred 2024, where he represents Manchester Originals.
I was told that my NOC was rejected by the PCB: Mir
Usama Mir said in a video with journalist Saj Sadiq: “I was dropped from the squad for the T20 World Cup after which I applied for NOC. I got a call from the selectors including Wahab Riaz, Abdur Razzaq and Mohammad Yousuf and they told me to go to England. Wahab bhai asked the selectors if they had any objection to Usama playing in the T20 Blast and they all said no.”
Mir further revealed, “I was told that I would receive the certificate of non-participation the next day and that I could go to England, so I booked my tickets and went. I started practicing and kept asking for the certificate of non-participation, and on the last day of performances I was told that my certificate of non-participation had been rejected. When I asked why, I was told that I had already submitted two certificates of non-participation.
I did my best and argued that my relationship with the county would be ruined. There was a month left before the new season started, so I asked if they would consider this place as the NOC for the next season. I didn’t come alone, but it was cancelled.”
