In a shocking turn of events, Afghanistan's pace sensation, Naveen-ul-Haq has been handed a hefty 20-month ban from the highly anticipated International League T20 (ILT20) for breaching his player agreement with Sharjah Warriors.
The ban stems from Naveen's refusal to sign the retention notice for the upcoming second season of the tournament, scheduled to take place in January-February next year.
The UAE's ILT20 announced the decision on Monday, which effectively sidelines Naveen from participating in the league in both 2024 and 2025.
The talented cricketer, however, has swiftly moved on by signing with Durban's Super Giants in the South African SA20 league. Coincidentally, this league is set to run concurrently with the ILT20, raising eyebrows about the strategic move.
Naveen-ul-Haq initially joined Sharjah Warriors for the inaugural edition of the league in 2023. However, trouble brewed when the team sent him a retention notice earlier this year, mirroring the terms and conditions of his initial agreement.
Sharjah Warriors sought intervention from ILT20 to resolve the dispute, initiating a mediation process through an independent third-party mediator. Regrettably, the mediation failed to yield a resolution.
The league's disciplinary committee, comprising ILT20 Chief Executive David White, Head of Security and Anti-Corruption Col Azam, and Zayed Abbas, a member of the Emirates Cricket Board, meticulously reviewed the arguments and evidence presented by both parties. The committee eventually delivered the verdict, imposing the 20-month ban on Naveen-ul-Haq.
In response to the decision, ILT20 Chief Executive David White expressed regret, stating, "We do not take pride in making this announcement, but all parties are expected to comply with their contractual commitments and recognize that non-compliance can cause damage to the other party."
White emphasized that Naveen's failure to honor his contractual obligations left the league with no choice but to enforce the ban.
Naveen-ul-Haq, who emerged as one of the standout performers for Sharjah Warriors in the 2023 season, finishing as their joint-highest wicket-taker with 11 wickets alongside Junaid Siddique, now faces a challenging period on the sidelines.
