Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has turned down an offer to serve as a mentor for a franchise in the Afghanistan Premier League. The decision follows the Pakistan Cricket Board's ongoing stance regarding the tournament and the issuance of No-Objection Certificates.
While Akram declined his role, other former Pakistan internationals have taken up positions within the league. Azhar Mahmood has been appointed as the head coach of Team Paktia, while Waqar Younis has joined the same franchise as its official ambassador.
The Afghanistan Premier League held its players' draft on Tuesday, which saw significant interest from Pakistani cricketers. More than 30 players, including Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, and Shan Masood, had registered their names for consideration.
Despite the high number of registrations, no Pakistani players were selected during the draft process. This outcome occurred amidst ongoing uncertainty regarding the availability of players due to the Pakistan Cricket Board's policy on the league.
Mohammad Amir, who recently acquired British citizenship and resides in England, was the notable exception. He was signed by the Kandahar Warriors in the platinum category after registering for the draft as a British national.
The Kandahar Warriors selected Amir with their first pick of the draft, choosing him ahead of veteran Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi. Amir's participation is facilitated by his status as a British citizen rather than a Pakistan-based player.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has maintained a strict position regarding the tournament, with reports indicating that the board is unlikely to grant the necessary No-Objection Certificates to Pakistani cricketers to participate in the competition.
Join the conversation