PCB Cancel Usama Mir’s T20 Blast Contract; Hayden Walsh Join as Replacement
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the governing body of cricket in Pakistan, have denied NOC (No Objection Certificate) to Usama for the upcoming Vitality T20 Blast 2024, which saw his contract get cancelled while Hayden Walsh Jr. joined Worcestershire Rapids as his replacement.
The Vitality T20 Blast 2024 season is set to commence on the 30th of May, Thursday. Before that, Worcestershire Rapids had to cancel the contract with the Pakistani leg-spinner Usama Mir.
PCB Deny NOC to Usama Mir for T20 Blast 2024
Usama Mir was set to don the Worcestershire Rapids colours in the T20 Blast 2024 season. However, just before the season began, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) denied the NOC to Mir.
Usama Mir was omitted from the Pakistan T20 World Cup 2024 squad and has now been denied the opportunity to ply his trade in England’s premier T20 competition. ESPNcricinfo has confirmed that this is due to the Pakistani players’ central contract terms.
Usama Mir signed a three-year contract with the PCB in 2023 and as per the rules and terms, any contracted player can play an additional two T20 leagues besides the Pakistan Super League (PSL) during a season of the contract, which runs from July 1st to June 30th.
During this period, Usama played in England’s The Hundred tournament in 2023 and the Big Bash League (BBL) in 2024, although he didn’t play the complete tournament as he was called up to the Pakistan squad for international duty.
Mir had a great season in the Pakistan Super League, picking the most wickets for his team Multan Sultans. He was then signed by Worcestershire Rapids for the T20 Blast 2024 season. Mir has also been retained by his The Hundred team Manchester Originals for a contract worth £60,000.
Worcestershire Rapids Have Signed Hayden Walsh as Usama Mir Replacement
Meanwhile, Worcestershire Rapids have confirmed the signing of West Indian player Hayden Walsh Jr as the replacement for Mir. Walsh was reportedly recommended to the team by Jason Holder, who played in the County Championship for the team.
Hayden Walsh has been included in the West Indies team’s reserve squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. Walsh has played 39 T20Is for West Indies in the year 2019 and has taken 31 wickets.
🚨 Exciting news for fans!
— Worcestershire Rapids (@WorcsCCC)
We're thrilled to welcome West Indian all-rounder Hayden Walsh to the Rapids! 🌪️
The talented 32-year-old leg-spinner joins us, replacing Usama Mir.
Meanwhile, Worcestershire will face Yorkshire in their opening match of the season on May 30 in Leeds. Yorkshire have recently confirmed the availability of former England captain Joe Root for the upcoming T20 competition.
19:30 IST
