Afghanistan Spinner, Mujeeb Ur Rahman will not be featuring in Melbourne Renegades’ upcoming BBL game against Melbourne Stars on Tuesday due to a modification in his No-Objection Certificate (NOC) conditions.
Mujeeb, who played a crucial role in the Renegades’ lone victory this BBL season, faced sanctions from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) last month. Along with fast bowlers Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb expressed his decision to be excluded from the central contracts list for 2024. The penalties imposed by the ACB included a two-year ban on NOCs for participating in T20 leagues and the revocation of any existing NOCs for the trio.
Initially, Renegades stated that there had been no indication of a change in Mujeeb’s availability for the BBL. A recent announcement clarified that alterations in Mujeeb’s NOC conditions led to his removal from the squad, making him unavailable for the upcoming match.
“Mujeeb Ur Rahman won’t be playing because a modification in his NOC conditions led to his removal from the squad,” the recent statement read.
While Naveen and Farooqi have approached the ACB and expressed their eagerness to represent Afghanistan again, Mujeeb did not find a place in the 18-member squad for Afghanistan’s ongoing T20I series against UAE.
Mujeeb’s notable performance in the Renegades’ sole win of the BBL season occurred on December 29, where he took 3 for 20 against Adelaide Strikers. His absence from the squad adds a layer of complexity to the Renegades’ strategy for the rest of the BBL season.
As Afghanistan engages in a three-match T20I series in the UAE, Mujeeb’s exclusion from the Melbourne Derby raises questions about his future participation in the ongoing cricket season.