"Why would I then have gone to the house that the County gave me or used their facilities?"- Usama Mir reveals PCB's U-turn on his NOC for T20 Blast
Pakistan spinner Usama Mir detailed the incidents leading up to his No Objection Certificate (NOC) denial by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for participating in the T20 Blast earlier this year. The 28-year-old signed with the Worcestershire Rapids to play in the tournament.
However, Mir was denied an NOC from the PCB before the competition began in a stunning turn of events. According to the board's latest clause in the central contracts, a player can play in a maximum of two T20 Leagues apart from the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
With the season's contract running from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, Mir had already participated in the 2023 T20 Blast in August and the Big Bash League (BBL) in December. Yet, his selection to the T20I squad for the New Zealand series meant Mir had to pull out of the BBL after only five games, making him believe he could play in this season's T20 Blast that started on May 30.
While talking to journalist Saj Sadiq as quoted by the Wisden, Mir said:
"In the media, there were reports that Usama went by himself - If I had to, I have my own house in Sheffield and my car. Why would I then have gone to the house that the County gave me or used their facilities? Obviously, I was permitted to go, hence I went. I was dropped from the T20 World Cup squad following which I requested for the NOC."
He added:
"I got a call from the selectors, including Wahab Riaz, Abdur Razzaq and Mohammad Yousuf and they told me to go to England. Wahab bhai asked the selectors if they had an objection to Usama playing [in the T20 Blast] and they all said no. They told me I would get the NOC the next day and I could go [to England], and accordingly, I booked my tickets and went."
After starring in the 2023 T20 Blast, Usama Mir had to be replaced by West Indian leg-spinner Hayden Walsh for the 2024 edition.
"I tried my best and argued that my relation with the County would be ruined" - Usama Mir
Usama Mir highlighted he persisted in obtaining the NOC to maintain his sound relationship with the county but was denied on the final day of the submissions.
The 28-year-old has played 12 ODIs and five T20Is for Pakistan since his debut last year.
"I started my practice and kept asking about the NOC and on the last day of submissions, I was told my NOC was declined. When I asked why, they said I had already taken two NOCs. I tried my best and argued that my relation with the County would be ruined. A month was left for the new season to begin, so I asked if they would consider this as the NOC for the upcoming season. I didn’t come on my own here, but it was canceled," said Mir.
Usama Mir is currently playing for the Manchester Originals in the Hundred competition in England.