BBL 13: Afghanistan's Mujeeb Ur Rahman removed from Melbourne Renegades squad after 'change to NOC conditions'

Big Bash League (BBL) team Melbourne Renegades removed Mujeeb Ur Rahman from their squad for the Melbourne Derby against the Stars on January 2, citing a change in his No Objection Certificate (NOC) conditions. The Afghanistan spinner played 6 matches in the ongoing BBL 13 season even as the senior national team is in the UAE involved in a T20I series against the hosts.

The decision from Melbourne Renegades comes days after Mujeeb along with fast bowlers Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi was sanctioned by Afghanistan Cricket Board for prioritising franchise-based leagues over national duty. The ACB's reprimand came in the form of sanctions, as the trio expressed their desire to opt out of their central contracts and sought No Objection Certificates to participate in various global T20 leagues.

The ACB delayed the issuance of their central contracts and denied them NOCs for overseas league participation for the next two years, starting January 1, 2024.

The Melbourne Renegades had earlier said that they received no communication regarding any change in Mujeeb Ur Rahman's NOC and that they would continue to support the spinner.

However, on Monday, January 1, Melbourne Renegades left Mujeeb Ur Rahman out of the side.

"Mujeeb



Ur Rahman has also been removed from the squad after a change to his No-Objection Certificate (NOC) conditions made him unavailable for the match," the Renegades said in a statement on the eve of the Melbourne Derby at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi were picked in the squad for the ongoing T20I series in the UAE, but Mujeeb was left out as he stayed back in Australia to play in the BBL.

ACB's decision to pick Naveen and Fazalhaq came after the board said that the two pacers communicated with it and showed a strong desire to represent the country again.

It remains to be seen if Mujeeb, who was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2024 auction at his base price of Rs 2 crore, would be allowed to turn up for the 2-time champions in the upcoming season.

BBL 13: Melbourne Renegades Squad v Melbourne Stars

Nic Maddinson (C), Will Sutherland (VC), Jordan Cox, Harry Dixon, Aaron Finch, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mackenzie Harvey

Ruwantha Kellapotha, Quinton de Kock, Shaun Marsh, Fergus O'Neill, Kane Richardson, Tom Rogers, Peter Siddle, Jon Wells, Adam Zampa.

Notably, the Renegades are at the 7th spot in the 8-team BBL table with just one win in 6 games so far.