"Champions Trophy 2025 not too far"- Shoaib Malik on PCB denying NOCs to Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi

Veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik recently opened up about Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi's decision to deny No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to players. Shoaib Malik backed Mohsin Naqvi's decision to deny NOCs for Pakistani players, adding that the country comes first over franchise cricket.

The PCB declined NOCs for Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan to play in the Global T20 League in Canada. Naseem Shah wasn't allowed to play in The Hundred in the United Kingdom. Mohsin Naqvi stated that the players were denied NOCs considering Pakistan's busy and packed cricket calendar.

They Have Prioritized The National Team - Shoaib Malik

In an interview with Cricket Pakistan, Shoaib Malik backed the PCB's decision to prioritize the national team. Malik stated that Pakistan players' workload should be managed ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025. Malik added that the players should not suffer financially after losing lucrative contracts.

"Look, they have prioritized the national team and considered the workload so that your players can stay fresh. The Champions Trophy is not too far away, so they have taken everything into account and decided not to give the NOC," Malik said.

"In my opinion, this is a good thing because the country comes first. However, there should be mutual understanding to ensure that players do not suffer. If there are large numbers involved, the central contract should be such that at the end of the day, players don't feel the sting of losing a lucrative contract," he added.

Pakistan will take on Bangladesh in a two-match Test series, which will begin on August 21. The Men in Green will host a Test series against England in October. The Pakistan cricket team will tour Australia for a white-ball series, comprising T20I matches and ODI matches, in November.

Pakistan will visit Zimbabwe for a white-ball series and then travel to South Africa for all-format matches in November-December. In January, they will return home to play red-ball games against the West Indies. The Champions Trophy is scheduled to be played in Pakistan in February 2025.

Players Also Deserve Not To Suffer So Much - Shoaib Malik

Shoaib Malik said that the Pakistan Cricket Board should compensate players' loss of lucrative league opportunities with central contract figures. The veteran cricketer stated that players should be fairly treated if NOCs are denied.

"It's okay that I'm losing it for the country, but players also deserve not to suffer so much that it becomes a mental torture. So, the numbers in the central contract should be such that if you don't allow them to go like they aren't giving the NOC now, the board has made a good decision, but at the same time, there should also be compensation for the players," Malik further said.

The PCB sacked Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq from the selection committee after the Men in Green's early exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup. Mohsin Naqvi has mandated that fitness tests will be conducted every three months. Player salaries remain unchanged, but central contracts will be revisited every 12 months.

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