Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb-ur-Rahman will not participate in Melbourne Renegades’ upcoming match in the Big Bash League 2023-24 against Melbourne Stars on January 2 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. This exclusion comes as a result of sanctions imposed by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).
It’s worth noting that Mujeeb, along with teammates Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi, has faced ACB sanctions for prioritizing personal interests over national commitments. The three players expressed their wish to forego national contracts to participate in T20 leagues globally.
The ACB did not approve of the players’ request and imposed sanctions, including a two-year ban on issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for the trio to participate in T20 leagues. Any existing NOCs were also revoked.
Initially, the Renegades management mentioned they were not informed about Mujeeb’s future unavailability for games, expressing ongoing support for him throughout the season. However, on January 1, they released a new statement announcing his exclusion from the squad.
“Mujeeb Ur Rahman has been removed from the squad after a change to his NOC conditions made him unavailable for the match,” said Melbourne Renegades in a statement.
Mujeeb played a key role in Renegades’ victory in the first match of the season
However, Mujeeb was in the playing eleven for Renegades in their recent match against Adelaide Strikers on December 29. In that game, he took 3 wickets for 20 runs in four overs, contributing to his team’s first win of the season.
As of now, the right-arm spinner is the joint-fourth-highest wicket-taker of the season, securing seven wickets in six innings at an average of 22.42 and an economy rate of 7.47.
Meanwhile, Naveen and Farooqi have communicated with the ACB, indicating their intention to represent their country once more. Consequently, the pair has been included in Afghanistan’s 18-member squad for the current T20I series against UAE, whereas Mujeeb did not secure a place.
The T20I series is currently tied at 1-1, with Afghanistan securing victory in the first game and UAE winning the second match by an 11-run margin. The series decider, the third and final match, is scheduled for Tuesday, January 2, at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah.
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