Usama Mir Slams PCB Over Denied NOC

Pakistan leg-spinner Usama Mir has voiced strong concerns over what he described as “double standards” in the Pakistan Cricket Board’s policy for issuing No-Objection Certificates (NOCs).

Mir, who recently signed a three-year deal with Worcestershire, spoke about how he was denied a chance to play in the 2024 T20 Blast due to a withheld NOC. He claimed another player had been granted more freedom despite similar circumstances.

The county had confirmed on Monday that Mir would return for the 2026 season as an overseas player and qualify as a local from 2027. He had previously represented Worcestershire in 2023 with notable success but missed the following season over administrative delays.

While speaking to a local sports outlet, Mir said that his contract included a clause allowing a “special NOC” in case of no national or domestic commitments. He questioned why this clause wasn’t honoured, particularly when he was out of the national squad and no cricket was scheduled.

He also recalled asking an official why another player received more NOCs. The reply, he said, was that the PCB chairman had changed—something he found confusing and unprofessional.

The PCB later stated that Mir had already played in two overseas leagues—the Hundred and the BBL—which made him ineligible for a third. However, Mir pointed out that he hadn’t signed his central contract when he appeared in the Hundred.

Despite signing a three-year central contract in 2023, Mir believed he was treated unfairly, calling the experience disappointing and frustrating for any professional cricketer.