Ousted Irfan Pathan Applies for No Objection Certificate to Leave Baroda

Out-of-favour all-rounder Irfan Pathan has sought a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Baroda to play for another team after being snubbed and dropped by the team he had represented for the last 17 years.

The 33-year old, who last represented India in 2012, was named Baroda’s captain and mentor before the start of the Ranji season. However, he was stripped of the captaincy and got dropped from the side after just two games. The 33-year old wasn’t selected for the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament as well.

According to The Indian Express, Pathan said he would comment on the matter only after receiving the NOC but confirmed the developments,

“I have made this decision keeping in mind the current scenario and the current plans of the BCA with regard to my position in the team. I feel that my professional services can be utilised in a better manner and to the best of my abilities with a different team at this stage of my career,” Pathan wrote in his e-mail to Baroda Cricket Association.

“I write this email with humble gratitude toward the BCA for giving me the opportunity to serve as a player for over 17 years. I am and always will be extremely grateful for this opportunity. I can confidently say that these past 17 years playing for BCA have been among the most memorable years of my career,” he added.

The BCA has called their managing committee meeting in coming weeks to decide on the NOC as requested by Pathan. Irfan was sensationally dropped from the side after Baroda lost to Madhya Pradesh and conceded the first innings lead to Andhra. The southpaw had a decent game with the bat against Madhya Pradesh, scoring 80 and had taken one wicket against Andhra before being dropped.

Later, he tweeted a cryptic message which made it clear that not all was well between the player and the association.

Not wishing Good Morning & not being a YES man to ur boss can go against u…but don’t bother,keep doing ur work #keepfighting #keeptrying

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 29, 2017

The speculations, however, were dismissed by BCA secretary Snehal Parikh who said dropping Pathan selection committee’s call to go with a young captain.

“The selection committee took a call to drop Irfan and pick Hooda as a captain. If you look at the season, from this year onwards, we will be playing only six league games. Baroda lost to Madhya Pradesh and last game the result didn’t go in our favour. The selectors thought it should be ideal if we try a new captain for next game,” Parikh had said in October.

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