[EXCLUSIVE] "Selectors said to me, 'Go to England, you will get your NOC'": Usama Mir

[BouncerGuy]

Usama Mir, at 28, has played 12 ODIs and 5 T20Is for Pakistan since his debut in January of 2023. Despite his standout performances, including being the top wicket-taker in this year’s Pakistan Super League (PSL), he was notably absent from the ODI World Cup 23 and T20 World Cup squads.

In the latest episode of PakPassion exclusive interviews, Saj talks to Usama Mir and discussed his cricket career and current experiences. Currently playing in England's Hundred tournament with a squad led by Phil Salt, Mir expressed frustration over his team’s close losses and the impact of missing key players. He remains hopeful that improved strategies will help them finish the tournament positively.

Reflecting on Pakistan’s T20 World Cup performance, Mir criticized the harshness of Pakistani fans, particularly on social media. He remains dedicated to his sport and committed to representing Pakistan with resilience.

Mir is keen to advance his skills in four-day cricket and hopes to make a significant impact in test matches for Pakistan. Regarding recent changes in the domestic structure such as the new Champions Cup, he is optimistic that these adjustments will benefit Pakistan cricket in the long run.

Some of the key highlights of this interview are:
​

Team Struggles: Acknowledged the difficulties faced during the season.

Leadership Praise: Commends Buttler’s guidance and strategic insights.

Social Media Pressure: Discussed the impact of online criticism on players’ performance.

Disappointment in Selection: Expressed his frustration at being dropped from the team.

New Talent Recognition: Expressed his disappointment that Abrar Ahmed did not play a single game in the T20 World Cup and spoke about the spinner's performance and potential.

Commitment to Improvement: Commits to stay dedicated to enhancing his game.

Dedication to National Pride: Emphasized the honour of representing Pakistan in cricket.

Watch the full interview here:
​

 

[The Bald Eagle]

To be honest Usama no doubt is a talented player but if you will remain a league bully then fans would never root for you in the national side.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Usama Mir: Selectors said to me, 'Go to England, you will get your NOC'

Pakistan spinner Usama Mir has revealed the incidents that led to the Pakistan Cricket Board denying him a No-Objection Certificate (NOC)

Pakistan spinner Usama Mir has revealed the incidents that led to the Pakistan Cricket Board denying him a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) to play in the T20 Blast earlier this year despite initial assurance.

What had transpired?
Mir, a centrally contracted Pakistani cricketer, signed a deal with Worcestershire Rapids to play in the T20 Blast last year. He was poised to rejoin the county this season after being excluded from Pakistan's T20 World Cup team. However, in May, despite initial assurances from the PCB that he would be granted an NOC a few days before the tournament, his request was denied.

According to the latest clause in the PCB’s central contracts, each player is allowed to play in two franchise T20 leagues excluding the Pakistan Super League per season. This season’s contract runs from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, a period in which Mir already took part in the T20 Blast in August 2023 and the Big Bash League in December.

Mir was pulled out after just five games in the BBL after being selected for the T20I series against New Zealand. Mir, whose stint in the BBL was curtailed, believed that he would be eligible to play in the Blast this year, which began on 30 May.

The PCB, though, did not budge and denied him the NOC, much to Mir’s disappointment, who had already flown to England after being reassured that he would be given an all-clearance.

Mir: I was permitted to go, hence I went

In a video with journalist Saj Sadiq, Mir says: “I was dropped from the T20 World Cup squad following which I requested for the NOC. I got a call from the selectors, including Wahab Riaz, Abdur Razzaq and Mohammad Yousuf and they told me to go to England. Wahab bhai asked the selectors if they had an objection to Usama playing [in the T20 Blast] and they all said no. They told me I would get the NOC the next day and I could go [to England], and accordingly, I booked my tickets and went.

“In the media, there were reports that Usama went by himself - If I had to, I have my own house in Sheffield and my car. Why would I then have gone to the house that the county gave me or used their facilities? Obviously, I was permitted to go, hence I went.”

Mir adds: “I started my practice and kept asking about the NOC and on the last day of submissions, I was told my NOC was declined. When I asked why, they said I had already taken two NOCs.

"I tried my best and argued that my relation with the county would be ruined. A month was left for the new season to begin, so I asked if they would consider this as the NOC for the upcoming season. I didn’t come on my own here, but it was cancelled.”

Mir is currently playing for Manchester Originals in The Hundred.

Usama Mir: Selectors Said To Me, 'Go To England, You Will Get Your NOC' | Pakistan Cricket News

Pakistan spinner Usama Mir has revealed the incidents that led to the Pakistan Cricket Board denying him a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for The T20 Blast.

www.wisden.com

 

[Nasty Naz]

They did the same nonsense with Haris too. If there's international matches and the player is in the squad, then fine deny the NOC but it makes no sense in situations like these when its the offseason for Pakistan and there is no international matches, there is no domestic matches and you're denying a spinner to play T20's? Why? Can't even use workload as a reason as he is a whiteball specialist and now a fast bowler.

The players should and need to form a union.

 

[pratiktc]

Horrible from PCB as usual.

 

[BouncerGuy]

This is beyond understanding and a prime example of poor management by PCB on of many blunders that PCB usually makes.

Denying a spinner an NOC in the off-season while allowing your all-formats players to play leagues.

Usama is doing pretty well in the Hundred so far but his form usually vanishes when the international game comes.

The things he said about Abrar are also 100% correct. You dropped Usama for Abrar and he did not get a single game in the whole tournament. Pathetic management.

 

[Muhammad Saad]

If he has an own house and car in Sheffield then I would say he has done his job as a professional cricketer without being a regular or even a decent international cricketer.

 

[Ramis]

His performances before that T20 game vs New Zealand game was up and down, But after only performance he was dropped which is according to me is fair and he was given the clarity but rejecting his NOC was wrong.

 

[Saj]

I was very surprised that he wasn't picked for the T20 World Cup especially after such a good performance at PSL9.

Then on top of that the selectors told him that he was fine to go and play in the T20 Blast only for him not to get a NOC. The height of unprofessionalism and this is why Pakistani players are not flavour of the month with County sides.

 

[Asad T]

I was very surprised that he wasn't picked for the T20 World Cup especially after such a good performance at PSL9.

Then on top of that the selectors told him that he was fine to go and play in the T20 Blast only for him not to get a NOC. The height of unprofessionalism and this is why Pakistani players are not flavour of the month with County sides.

That's a good point about how they "are not flavor of the month with County sides." Already with the influence of Indian $ in County cricket, our players are probably not preferred, and the unprofessionalism from our board will not help.

Long run it will only hamper the exposure our players get

 

[Mohraheem]

He picked up Misbah’s Phone call and that ruined his Career

 

[BouncerGuy]

Where is this guy atm? He should be playing some county cricket to work on his line and lengths in bowling. The longer version is the only way he is going to improve. T20 cricket was never gonna make him a better bowler.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Usama Mir has been picked by Melbourne Stars for the upcoming season of BBL 2024.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Usama Mir during media interaction:

About Champions One Day Cup:

"Whether it's a comeback or any other tournament, it's always challenging. I always try to give my best performance, and in the upcoming Champions One Day Cup tournament, I will try to give my best performance and wherever I play, I will try to give better and better performance."

About BBL 2025:

"Alhamdulillah, I played well in the BBL last year, and the team management has already told me that they will retain me, but I didn't know that I would be selected as the only Pakistani player in the BBL 2025 draft."

About his spin bowling at Faisalabad conditions:

"If the wicket is dead, then the ball won't spin, and we will see what the pitch is like. If the pitch is good, then InshaAllah, I will try to bowl in the right areas."

About the lack of spinners in the Pakistan team:

"Yes, I agree that we haven't got the kind of performances from spinners that we expected, but every dark cloud has a silver lining. There is talent in everyone, and these are the same spinners who gave Pakistan success 4-5 years back, so InshaAllah, that good time will come again. I'm sure in this Champions One Day Cup, all the spinners will be well-prepared and will give better performances and fill the void in the Pakistan team for spinners."

About his plans to play Test cricket:

"Those who played in the recent Test series gave good performances in First-Class cricket, so I think they deserve it first. And every cricketer wishes to play Test cricket, so in the upcoming season, I will try to perform there."

About PCB NOC policy:

"That will be seen at the time when an NOC is needed, right now my focus is on the Champions One Day Cup."

About Faisalabad crowd:

"Whenever we have played in Faisalabad, the crowd has been very good, and we have got a lot of support here."

About mentors of Champions Cup:

"Obviously, those who are top players of Pakistan and legends are our mentors in this tournament, such as my team's mentor Saqlain Bhai [Saqlain Mushtaq], and my effort will be to gain as much knowledge as possible from him so that it can help me in my future cricket and upcoming matches. And I think this is a very good initiative for youngsters and for all of us."

 

[FearlessRoar]

Panthers' Usama Mir has to agree that he is not good enough, even on a spin-friendly pitch, he is bowling at an economy rate of 7.15, while his teammate Mubasir Khan has an economy rate of 4.00 against Markhors in the Champions One-Day Cup 2024.

 

[Savak]

Extremely poor cowardly captain by Shadab. He got bashed badly in an over and Shadab still gave him another over afterwards. Why didn't Shadab try to lead by example and bring himself on?

 

[FearlessRoar]

Today he's an exception to his usual form, delivering a standout performance with an impressive economy rate of 4.50 and claiming two crucial wickets against the Dolphins in the Champions One-Day Cup 2024 so far. His bowling has shown good variation.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Usama Mir bagged 3 wickets for Panthers today in their triumph against Lions. His final figures were 3/55

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[The Bald Eagle]

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram