In a setback for Melbourne Stars, Haris Rauf’s entry into the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) is under threat, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expected to delay issuing his No-Objection Certificate (NOC) until December 11.
With the BBL scheduled to start on December 7, Rauf could miss the initial matches if the PCB doesn’t provide the NOC on time. The delay is attributed to Rauf’s potential participation in the National T20 Cup in Pakistan, concluding on December 10.
The absence of Haris Rauf not only affects the Melbourne Stars, who signed him as a key player, but also disrupts the BBL’s marketing strategy aimed at the South Asian audience. The Melbourne Stars had leveraged Rauf’s popularity by introducing special memberships and seating zones.
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Beyond the National T20 Cup, Rauf’s participation in the BBL may face further uncertainty as he is also slated to join Pakistan’s T20 series in New Zealand. The NOC situation has led to a standoff with chief selector Wahab Riaz, potentially causing concern among centrally contracted players. The PCB’s handling of NOCs has become a contentious issue, shedding light on broader challenges in player-contract negotiations.
