Naveen-ul-Haq has been banned by the UAE’s ILT20 for 20 months after violating his player agreement with Sharjah Warriors. The breach occurred when he refused to sign the retention notice for the second season of the tournament scheduled for January-February next year.

As a result of the ban, Naveen won’t be able to participate in the ILT20 in 2024 and 2025. Despite the ban, he has signed with Durban’s Super Giants, a team owned by the group that also owns IPL team Lucknow Super Giants, of which he is a part. The South African SA20 league, where Naveen will play, coincides with the ILT20 schedule.

Sharjah Warriors, who initially signed Naveen for the 2023 season, sent him a retention notice earlier this year under the same terms and conditions. The ILT20 intervened in the dispute, attempting mediation through an independent third-party mediator, but it proved unsuccessful.

The league’s disciplinary committee, comprising ILT20 CEO David White, head of security and anti-corruption Col Azam, and Emirates Cricket Board member Zayed Abbas, reviewed the perspectives of both Warriors and Naveen, examined the evidence, and issued the 20-month ban.

David White stressed the need for following contracts and expressed regret for having to impose the ban because Naveen didn’t fulfill his commitments to Sharjah Warriors. Even though it was disappointing, White pointed out that the disciplinary process was fair and open, making sure both parties had an opportunity to explain their side.

In the 2023 season, Naveen was a standout performer for Warriors, finishing as their joint-highest wicket-taker with 11 wickets, alongside Junaid Siddique. However, Warriors struggled in the season, winning only three out of ten games and missing the playoffs.