Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s Big Bash League (BBL) journey with the Melbourne Renegades has been abruptly terminated following the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s (ACB) decision to revoke his No-Objection Certificate (NOC), forcing him to return home while awaiting further updates from the board.
The ACB’s recent withdrawal of Mujeeb’s NOC for the remainder of the BBL season resulted from his stance, along with seamers Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq, declining to sign central contracts for 2024. The trio was deemed “non-eligible” for NOCs for the next two years, with immediate revocation of any existing certificates.
Despite playing two additional games for the Renegades post the ACB’s initial decision, Mujeeb’s NOC was rescinded ahead of the Melbourne derby, rendering him unavailable for the fixture and prompting his departure from the tournament.
While Farooqi and Naveen have since represented Afghanistan in the ongoing T20I series against the UAE after expressing their willingness to resume national duties, Mujeeb’s absence from the squad raises speculation about his potential inclusion in Afghanistan’s upcoming T20I tour of India.
Awaiting the outcome of an ACB committee’s “comprehensive investigation,” the trio faces ineligibility to participate in overseas leagues, including IPL 2024, for the next 24 months unless the sanctions are revised.
This stringent stance by the ACB contrasts with the leniency exhibited by most national boards, granting players flexibility to honor lucrative contracts in overseas leagues despite rejecting central contracts.
Additionally, English wicketkeeper-batter Joe Clarke has been ruled out for the remainder of the BBL season due to a quad injury sustained during the Renegades’ solitary victory. This injury casts doubt on Clarke’s involvement in the ILT20, where he was scheduled to represent the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.
With Renegades effectively out of contention for the finals, the team has made changes, signing West Indies’ left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein for their final two regular-season games. As the BBL progresses, the Renegades are reshuffling their squad, with players like Jordan Cox stepping in before departing for other commitments, further reshaping the team dynamic for the remaining league matches.
