The UAE’s ILT20 has imposed a 12-month suspension on Noor Ahmad, the Afghan spinner, for violating his player agreement with Sharjah Warriors. Noor, initially recruited by the Warriors for the inaugural ILT20 season in 2023, declined a one-year contract extension from the team. Instead, he opted to join the Durban Super Giants for the SA20 season.
The ILT20 released a statement explaining that Noor, aged 19, received a retention notice for the second season with the same terms and conditions outlined in the Player Agreement. After he declined to sign, the Warriors sought the league’s involvement. The league’s disciplinary committee, including ILT20 CEO David White, security and anti-corruption head Col Azam, and Emirates Cricket Board member Zayed Abbas, investigated the issue and considered the perspectives of both Noor and the Warriors before reaching a decision.
Initially suggesting a 20-month suspension for Noor, the committee acknowledged his status as a minor when entering the initial agreement. Taking into account Noor’s explanation that his agent failed to disclose the complete contract terms, the committee ultimately reduced his ban by eight months. During the first season, Noor participated in seven matches for the Warriors, securing four wickets for 148 runs, with an average of 37 and an economy of 7.04.
Following a recent trend, Noor becomes the second Warriors player to receive a ban. In December, Naveen-ul-Haq faced a similar fate, as the league imposed a 20-month suspension for his refusal to sign the retention notice. Consequently, he is ineligible to participate in the ILT20 for both 2024 and 2025.
Sharjah Warriors extended a one-year contract to Noor, but he declined to sign the retention notice
Noor declined the extension, leading the team to seek ILT20’s intervention. A committee, including CEO David White, Col. Azam, and Zayed Abbas, investigated, imposing a 12-month ban. Originally recommended for 20 months, the reduction considered Noor’s minor status during the contract signing and his claim of incomplete information from his agent.
Despite the ban, Noor participated in SA20 2024 with Durban Super Giants and is slated to play in the 2024 Indian Premier League for Gujarat Titans, the 2022 champions.
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