Usama Mir will miss the T20 Blast 2024
The player was denied a NOC by the PCB
Pakistani leg-spinner Usama Mir won’t be joining Worcestershire for the T20 Blast. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) denied him a No-Objection Certificate (NOC), even though he wasn’t selected for Pakistan’s T20 World Cup team.
This means Mir will miss out on playing for the Rapids throughout the tournament.
While it was initially reported that the PCB wouldn’t allow him to play in the T20 Blast, ESPNcricinfo has uncovered the real reason. Apparently, Mir is one of the players who signed a special three-year central contract with the PCB in 2023. This contract allows them to participate in only two yearly franchise T20 tournaments other than the PSL. So, it seems Mir’s application to play in the T20 Blast was rejected because he’s already maxed out on his additional leagues for the season.
Usama Mir can’t play for Worcestershire in the T20 Blast. The PCB’s 3-year contract limits him to 2 extra T20 leagues outside the PSL per year. He already played in the Hundred and BBL, exceeding his limit. The PCB prioritizes national duty, which also cut short his BBL stint.
Also, Read: Riley Meredith of Australia signed by Somerset for this year’s T20 Blast
Even though Mir’s BBL stint got cut short for national duty, both he and Worcestershire thought the PCB might grant him a NOC for the Blast. However, the PCB is strict about its “PSL + 2” rule, and since Mir already played in two other leagues this year, they denied his request.
While a key bowler for Multan Sultans in PSL 2024, Mir hasn’t played in overseas T20 leagues since. He will play for Manchester Originals in the Hundred again this year, having been retained for their £60,000 contract. It seems Mir is aiming to participate in the Hundred and another league this season.
Mir shone in last year’s Blast for Worcestershire, scoring 132 runs at a rapid pace (strike rate 162.96) and taking 19 wickets with a miserly economy. Unfortunately, his absence due to the PCB contract restrictions means another player, Hayden Walsh, takes his place.
Worcestershire kick off their T20 Blast journey on Thursday night, with their first match against Yorkshire.
Newcomers Josh Cobb and Tom Taylor might see their debuts for the Rapids. Yorkshire boasts Joe Root in their squad, who’s expected to play their first seven Blast matches.
