In a significant victory, South African wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi has won his legal battle against Cricket South Africa (CSA). The Johannesburg High Court ruled in favor of Tabraiz Shamsi, and ordered Cricket South Africa (CSA) to issue him a full No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Tabraiz Shamsi gets clearance for ILT20 and BBL after NOC fight with CSA
The Johannesburg High Court decision has finally cleared the way for the South African left-arm spinner, who was previously barred by CSA from playing in T20 leagues around the world, due to South Africa’s franchise tournament – SA20.
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According to Rapport’s report, Cricket South Africa should now allow Shamsi to participate in two major tournaments. He will now be fully available for the Gulf Giants in the ILT20 running from December 2 to January 4 in the UAE.
After this, the Proteas spinner will join the Adelaide Strikers in the ongoing Big Bash League 2025-26 (BBL 2025-26) in Australia from January 4 to January 25.
Center of NOC controversy
The conflict began when CSA refused to grant full no objection certificate to Tabraiz Shamsi for the entire ILT20 season. According to Cricket South Africa rules, all South African players require board approval to play in foreign leagues, whether or not they have a national or domestic contract.
Cricket South Africa had given Shamsi an NOC only till 19 December, stating that he was required to be available for the SA20 as he had entered the auction and even been selected by a team. Notably, Shamsi was bought by MI Cape Town for R500,000 in the SA20 auction. However, he never signed a playing contract with the franchise and subsequently withdrew from the tournament.
Denial of CSA NOC gives rise to legal battle
Despite this, Cricket South Africa barred him from playing in the remainder of the ILT20, forcing the cricketer to take the fight to the Johannesburg High Court. In court papers dated December 16, Shamsi argued that the board’s refusal to extend his NOC was done in bad faith.
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He explained that the decision was directly affecting his financial situation and limiting his ability to earn a living as a professional cricketer. After hearing the case, the court issued an interim order directing CSA to give full NOC to Shamsi for all the foreign leagues in which he is set to play.
Court orders CSA to give full NOC to Tabrez Shamsi
The reason behind this order was that Tabraiz Shamsi was not contracted with the South African board, and his dispute was with the SA20 franchise and not with CSA, so the order was pronounced in favor of the cricketer.
A key point in the case was that SA20 organizers decided not to take any disciplinary action against Shamsi for not signing the contract, which also weakened CSA’s argument.
Now, the order allows the experienced spinner to play the entire ILT20 season with the Gulf Giants and also gives him a second NOC to represent the Adelaide Strikers in the ongoing Big Bash League. Earlier, Shamsi has played for Joburg Super Kings and Paarl Royals in SA20.
