Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq & Fazalhaq Farooqi Likely To Feature In IPL 2024 After ACB Soften Stand On Trio

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Afghanistan's Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi to receive central contracts and will be allowed to participate in franchise leagues like Indian Premier League (IPL) subject to their full commitment to national duties.

The trio's participation in the upcoming IPL 2024 was in doubt after the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) decided to not grant No Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate in franchise leagues for 2 years, but the modification to their previously imposed sanctions allows them to feature in leagues like IPL.

The modification to sanction also means that the trio received a "Final Warning" with a "salary deduction" and that they would be given central contracts. Here is what ACB's statement read:

"The modified recommendations state the following course of regulatory measures that are proportionate, effective & feasible and shall supersede the previous measures imposed on the players concerning the same issue:

• Final Warning and Salary Deduction: Each player shall receive a final written warning and face a specific salary deduction from their monthly earnings and/or match fees.
• Limited NOCs: ACB will strictly consider the issuance of the NOCs to the respected players while prioritizing the national duty and ACB's interests.
• Central Contract: ACB may grant central contracts to these players while strictly monitoring their performance and discipline in events.

Earlier, in December 2023, Mujeeb, Farooqi and Naveen had informed the ACB of their intention to be released from the central contracts. The ACB responded by delaying their 2024 annual central contracts and opted not to grant them NOCs to play overseas cricket leagues for 2 years.

However, recent development will come as relief to IPL franchises Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants, who had the trio in their squads for the upcoming season of IPL.

Naveen-ul-Haq will play for LSG, while Farooqi will be available for SRH, and Mujeeb will play for a new franchise in KKR, who bought the Afghanistan spinner during the IPL 2024 auction in December 2023.