Aakash Chopra slams the Afghanistan Cricket Board for denying the No Objection Certificate to three cricketers. Naveen-ul Haq, Mujeeb ur Rahman and Fazalhaq Farooqi wanted to opt out of the central contract in order to participate in T20 leagues around the world. ACB initiated disciplinary actions against the three players.

3 things you need to know

• IPL has been a big platform for the cricketers
• Afghanistan cricketers have been involved in the IPL over the years
• The IPL auction was in Dubai 

Afghanistan Cricket Board took disciplinary action against three players 

ACB deferred their central contracts and the players have also been denied NOC which is required for any players if they want to take part in the T20 leagues. ACB issued a statement clearing their stand on the matter. "The insistence on not signing the central contract for these players was their involvement in commercial leagues, prioritising their personal interests over playing for Afghanistan, which is regarded as a national responsibility. 
By opting for their release, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to take disciplinary measures against these players."

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Aakash Chopra slams Afghanistan Cricket Board

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra slammed ACB over their decision to not offer NOC to Mujeeb, Naveen and Farooqi. The eminent commentator insisted if the players' interests are not protected how will they survive. While speaking on JioCinema he said, “Irony is dying because you are not giving them contracts. You are not giving them opportunities. These players are becoming noteworthy not because the Afghanistan Cricket Board is doing a great job, but because they are playing franchise cricket. They go and play cricket in different countries. I feel it's wrong not to give them NOCs for two years. The players have already said that they make their living outside Afghanistan. They are being told to prioritize the country's interests. But if their interests are not protected, if they are not allowed to make a living, then what are they supposed to do? Having said this, this decision has increased the headache of three IPL franchises Lucknow, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Finding their replacement at the eleventh hour may be difficult. But we have still not heard the last word on this decision. There may still be a twist in this story.”

Farooqi and Naveen have been retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants while Mujeeb has been bought by KKR at the IPL auction.