PCB bars players from participating in Afghan T20 league

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday announced it will not issue No Objection Certificates (NOC) to players and coaches who signed for Afghanistan’s Shpageeza Cricket League set to be held in July.

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) issued a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, cancelling the two friendly T20I matches it promised to play against Pakistan in light of a truck bombing in the city’s diplomatic quarter that killed at least 90 people.

Pakistan were set to play their first Twenty20 match in Kabul later this year in what was seen as an opportunity for the neighbours to ease tensions over border skirmishes and alleged proxy warfare.

The Kabul match, set for July or August, would have been followed by a fixture in Pakistan and a full series at an unspecified date.

The PCB rejected ACB’s ‘baseless allegations’.

“While our sympathies are with the victims and families affected by the tragedy, we reject the irresponsible statement made by the ACB and hereby announce the cancellation of the proposed series between the two countries,” a PCB statement said.

Further strengthening their point, the Pakistan board also barred it’s players and coaches from taking part in Afghan T20 league.

“The PCB announces that none of the players and officials (coaches) contracted to Afghanistan T20 league would be issued NOCs. No Pakistani player or official can feature in the league,” a PCB press release said Friday.