The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided not to grant fast bowler Naseem Shah the No Objection Certificate (NOC) to play in The Hundred cricket league, citing workload management concerns, sources told Geo News.
This decision will cost Naseem approximately Rs 45 million, as he was signed by the Birmingham Phoenix team for £125,000.
According to sources, the decision was made as a precautionary measure ahead of the crucial World Test Championship matches. Naseem’s application for the NOC was reviewed and subsequently denied to prevent potential injuries, given his participation in all three formats of cricket for the national team and previous fitness issues.
Naseem underwent successful surgery for a shoulder injury in October 2023, which ruled him out of the ICC World Cup 2023. Following the surgery, doctors advised him to rest and undergo rehabilitation for four to six weeks before returning to the field. This injury sidelined him for three to four months.
During Pakistan’s second game against India at the Asia Cup 2023 in September 2023, Naseem walked off the field in the 46th over due to an injury sustained on the reserve day. The PCB later announced that he would miss the remainder of the tournament due to an injury to a muscle just below his bowling shoulder.
