PCB hands brutal punishment to Azam Khan, Saim Ayub after T20 World Cup failure

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has come up as a barrier for the two youngsters Azam Khan and Saim Ayub. In what has been the latest development as per the reports in Pakistan media, it is learned that the governing body has denied giving No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to the players for the Carribean Premier League (CPL). 

Azam Khan and Saim Ayub, who were part of the squad for the T20 World Cup 2024, won't be allowed to take part in the Caribbean Premier League as per the policy of the Pakistan Cricket Board. The policy states that centrally and domestically contracted players cannot take part in more than two overseas leagues annually. 

This is because the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) aims to manage player workload and prioritize national commitment. As per the policy, the board also reserves the right to deny NOC requests based on factors such as player workload, fitness concerns, or domestic team obligations. 

It comes as a big surprise because both Azam Khan and Saim Ayub have been already retained by their respective teams. Them not being allowed to play in the Caribbean Premier League will be a major blow for the respective franchises as they over the years have been decent with the bat in the tournament. 

A source close to the Pakistan Cricket Board talked about the development and stated that the PCB has the right to turn down NOCs of every player be it centrally or domestically contracted players. Speaking about the same, he elaborated: 

"The other players have also been given a clear message that the two NOCs rule applies to both centrally and domestically contracted players and the board also reserves the right to turn down any NOC request from any player. The PCB retains the right to refuse an NOC if it believes a player’s workload and fitness may be compromised or if the player is needed for domestic duties." 

The NOC saga recently all came to the highlight after the Usama Mir was denied to play in the overseas league. But the player fought back and stated that he doesn't have international commitments and domestic events and should be allowed to play. But PCB made a strong statement, saying that the decision is theirs. 

Azam Khan and Saim Ayub fail to shine with bat in the T20 World Cup 2024 

Pakistan National Cricket Team players Azam Khan and Saim Ayub failed to shine with bat in the T20 World Cup 2024. Both the batters were given opportunities at some point in the tournament but they couldn't cash on the opportunities as they bagged low scores in the games that they have played. 

Pakistan overall had a torrid outing in the T20 World Cup 2024. Under the leadership of Babar Azam, they faced a group stage exit. The Men in Green faced losses in the match against the United States of America and India, which saw them getting eliminated from the group stage of the tournament. 

Pakistan since then has been facing a lot of criticism. There's no clarity on who will be part of the team for the next few games. Babar Azam's future as a skipper is also uncertain and with the kind of performances that Azam Khan and Saim Ayub have put in, the future doesn't seem good for them.