Pakistan leg-spinner Usama Mir, known for his versatility and work ethic, has come forward to call out what he believes are “double standards” in how the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) handles No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for its centrally contracted players.

In a recent appearance on a local sports platform, Mir didn’t mince his words. He laid bare his frustration over how, despite not being part of the national team setup and having no domestic cricket commitments, he was denied the green light to play for Worcestershire Rapids in the 2024 T20 Blast.

A Contract Signed But…

Let’s rewind a bit. Worcestershire had announced recently that Usama Mir had signed a three-year deal with them. The leggie will represent the club as an overseas player in 2026, and then, under residency rules, qualify as a local player for the following two seasons.

A rare and valuable opportunity for a Pakistani cricketer, and something the club described as part of their “long-term strategic planning.”

This isn’t Mir’s first rodeo with Worcestershire either. He had a successful 2023 stint, topping both the batting and bowling averages. But in 2024, his return was halted due to “paperwork issues.”

“Why Can’t I Get a Third?”

Usama Mir explained that when he asked PCB officials why his NOC was withheld, he was told he’d already taken two NOCs for the Hundred and the BBL, which was the maximum allowed under the terms of his central contract.

He argued that his contract was signed after his participation in the Hundred, yet the PCB applied the agreement retroactively from 1 July 2023. Even more infuriating, Mir was told that another player had been allowed three NOCs.

When he pushed for an explanation, the reply was baffling: “The chairman was different back then.” His response summed it up perfectly: “If the chairman was different, does that mean the contract I signed also changed?”

“A Cricketer’s Job Is to Play Cricket”

Usama Mir was dropped from the national team. There were no domestic matches scheduled. He wasn’t part of any ongoing tour. Yet, he was stopped from playing cricket.

He pointed out that his deal with Worcestershire had a “special NOC clause,” meant to cover such situations when a player is free and available. But the PCB, despite having no use for him at the time, denied his application.

This wasn’t about skipping national duty. In fact, Mir’s stint in the BBL was cut short when he was recalled for the New Zealand T20Is. He showed up when required. And yet, when he needed support, it wasn’t there.

Cricketers Deserve Better

Usama Mir’s case raises an important question: Where’s the consistency? If rules are rules, then they must apply to everyone equally, regardless of who’s in charge. Changing interpretations, unclear communication, and retroactive enforcement of clauses only breed distrust and resentment.

For a player like Mir, who’s worked hard to build a career across formats and countries, this isn’t just disappointing, it’s damaging. The PCB has every right to manage workload and prioritise national duty. But it must also protect its players’ interests and give them fair opportunities, especially when they’re out of contention for the national side.

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