…Pakistani trio denied No-Objection Certificates

THE fourth edition of Global T20 Canada bowls off today, bringing the best T20 action featuring the top international cricket talents, along with local heroes to Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
In the opening fixture, slated for 16:00hrs (Can), Toronto Nationals will battle with Vancouver Knights. The other teams in contention are Montreal Tigers, Surrey Jaguars, Bangla Tigers Mississauaga, and Brampton Wolves.
According to a release from the organisers, “The GT20 has established itself as a marquee event on the Canadian and global cricket calendar, featuring star-studded franchises, and providing a massive platform to showcase the growth of cricket in Canada. This year’s tournament takes on even greater significance, as Canada’s national team made their historic debut at the ICC T20 World Cup.”

Guyanese Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd, who were part of the Cognisant Major League Cricket tournament, which climaxes on Sunday in the USA, are among a galaxy of stars slated to grace the tournament.
Among the others are recently retired Australian opener David Warner, and all-rounder Marcos Stoinis, West Indians Andre Russell and Sunil Narine. Guyanese-born Canadian players Dilon Heyliger and Jeremy Gordon, who recently represented Canada at the ICC T20 World Cup, will also feature in the tournament.

Pakistani stars Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan, who were also slated to participate, have been refused No-Objection Certificates (NOCs). In a statement, the PCB said it had decided against issuing these NOCs “after consulting with the three players and the selection committee”.

The decision comes shortly after the PCB also refused Naseem Shah’s NOC to play the Hundred last week. Naseem had been signed by Birmingham Phoenix in a deal that would have seen him earn GBP 125,000.
Speaking on the occasion, GT20 CEO Joy Bhattacharjya said, “The GT20 Canada has been a huge catalyst for the development of cricket in Canada. With top international stars and the best domestic talent rubbing shoulders, there is a huge impact both on the quality of Canadian domestic cricket and the profile of the game in this country. We are delighted to be a part of this amazing journey.”

A nationwide player draft was held in June to determine the lineups of the six city-based franchises for the 2024 season. All matches will be broadcast live on national TV and streamed worldwide, ensuring the GT20’s impact extends across the Canadian cricket diaspora.
“With Canada making its T20 World Cup debut this year, there is tremendous momentum around cricket in our country right now,” said the President of Cricket Canada, Amjad Bajwa. “The GT20 plays a vital role in this growth journey, helping to inspire the next generation of Canadian cricketers,” he added.
The GT20 captured the imagination of fans across Canada in its first three seasons, thanks to a powerful mix of high-octane cricket, world-class talent, and packed crowds creating an unmistakable carnival atmosphere. (Frederick Halley).