RCB suffer fresh setback as Sri Lanka withhold NOC for Nuwan Thushara

Sri Lanka fast bowler Nuwan Thushara is likely to miss the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) declined to grant him a No Objection Certificate (NOC) under a newly enforced fitness policy, 24NewsHD TV reported on Saturday.

Under the revised regulations, SLC has made it mandatory for players to meet newly introduced physical performance benchmarks before being cleared to feature in overseas franchise tournaments, including the IPL and the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Sri Lanka Cricket declined to issue a NOC to Thushara for the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) after the pacer failed to clear the board’s compulsory fitness assessment.

Sri Lanka Cricket chief executive Ashley de Silva confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that Thushara failed to reach the qualifying threshold, scoring 17 points out of the required 29 in the test.

The setback adds to RCB’s concerns over their pace-bowling resources, with Australian quick Josh Hazlewood also currently sidelined by injury.