Amidst the ongoing New Zealand tour, a cloud of discord hangs over the Pakistani cricket team, revealing friction primarily centered around the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for T20 leagues. Local media reports highlight a growing discontent among players, with team director Mohammad Hafeez’s strict stance becoming a point of contention. The relationship between Hafeez and senior players has become strained.
According to media accounts, cricketers such as Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, Azam Khan, and others successfully obtained NOCs for their participation in the upcoming second edition of ILT20. However, when several prominent players sought NOCs for the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Hafeez’s reluctance jeopardized their contracts.
During team meetings, the report suggests that the extensive discussions and prolonged sessions led by Mohammad Hafeez have not been well-received by senior players. Expressing dissatisfaction, players argue that Hafeez’s unnecessary interventions and lengthy talks are disrupting the team environment.
While the current friction is in its early stages, team sources hint at the potential for these issues to escalate in the future. Complicating matters further, the final of the ILT20 on February 17 coincides with the opening match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9. Notably, retired fast bowler Mohammad Amir has received an NOC for his participation in the ILT20.
