Abu Dhabi T10 dealt with a big blow as PCB refuses to give NOCs

The Abu Dhabi T10, the world's only 10-over cricket tournament officially approved by the ICC, will have one of its new teams, Lahore Qalandars struggle in the upcoming season. It is because the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday revoked No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for its players to participate in the competition.

ALSO, READ | ICC T20 World Cup Qualifiers: UAE Wicketkeeper-batsman Goes Missing

Majority of Pakistan players will not feature in the Abu Dhabi T10

The PCB has officially confirmed that the reason for their move is workload management and domestic cricket being the topmost priority. The Abu Dhabi T10 is going to start from November 15 and it is clashing with a fitness and medical assessment camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Pakistan alongside the domestic Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

The reason behind cancelling the NOCs is in the best interests of the players as well as to enhance the importance and reputation of the country's domestic cricket, which is struggling at the moment. 

ALSO, READ | Pakistan: Plea Filed In Lahore High Court Against Misbah-ul-Haq?

The fitness and medical assessment camp willl take place at the National Cricket Academy from November 13-25 while a number of matches in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy will be played between November 11 and December 5. The final will be played in Karachi from December 9-13.

However, the Abu Dhabi T10 has suffered from a massive blow as Pakistan stars such as Mohammad Amir, Shoaib Malik, Wahab Riaz, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nafeez, Imad Wasim etc.. were set to feature in the tournament and are arguably the biggest draws for the teams to attract fans into the stadium as well for the matches. Pakistani side Qalandars suffered the biggest blow after the announcement as the Qalandars’ squad included Sohail Akhtar, Hafeez, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf and Haris Rauf among others from the country. Qalandars will lose their main players even though Shahid Afridi and Imran Nazir will still be a part of the team as they have retired from international cricket.

The withdrawal of the 'NOC' means only two out of the 19 Pakistani players originally picked, will play in the tournament.

ALSO, READ | Mumbai Cricket: Abhishek Nayar Retires From First-class Cricket

ALSO, READ | Virat Kohli Lauds 'The Game Changers' Documentary On Vegetarianism