The Johannesburg High Court has recently made a significant ruling in favor of South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, allowing him to participate fully in the ILT20 season in the UAE. This decision, which came down against Cricket South Africa (CSA), has sparked interest due to its potential global impact in an era where franchise cricket is on the rise. Shamsi, who has played 127 international matches for South Africa, found himself in a bit of a pickle after withdrawing from the SA20 earlier this year, leading to a contractual dispute. He had been signed by MI Cape Town for R500,000 during the SA20 auction but requested to be released for personal reasons. While SA20 accepted his contract withdrawal and replaced him, CSA later limited his ability to play in overseas leagues by issuing only a partial No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for the ILT20. The initial NOC from CSA expired on December 19, right in the middle of the ILT20 season and just before the SA20 window, which effectively forced Shamsi to make a tough choice between leagues. With talks for an extension hitting a snag, Shamsi turned to the High Court for urgent interim relief. "I am grateful that the Court recognized the urgency of my situation and granted interim relief. I was reluctant to take this matter to court, but it became necessary to bring certainty and resolve a situation that could not be resolved in any other way. This was never about maximising opportunities, but being able to approach my career in a considered and sustainable way," Shamsi said in a statement issued by his management company, Global Sports Ventures. Read also: Probable India ODI squad for NZ series: Is Padikkal in, Iyer & Kishan Back? Shamsi set to head to Australia for BBL commitments The court ruled in favor of Shamsi, instructing CSA to provide him with a full NOC valid until January 4, the date of the ILT20 final. Additionally, CSA was ordered to cover Shamsi’s legal expenses. The board also later issued him a separate NOC to honor his commitment to the Big Bash League with the Adelaide Strikers in January. In its ruling, the court pointed out that while SA20 auction agreements require player participation, Shamsi’s contract wasn’t directly with CSA. The court deemed CSA’s refusal to extend the NOC as unjustified and potentially harmful to Shamsi’s financial situation, especially considering his freelance status. Shamsi, who decided to pass on a national contract last year to seek out global opportunities, expressed his support for the ruling. He emphasized that his choice was never about chasing the biggest paycheck but rather about managing his career in a sustainable way. He also mentioned family considerations and confirmed that he remains available to represent South Africa in the future. On the field, Shamsi has been performing well, taking four wickets in four matches for the Gulf Giants in the current ILT20. He’s set to head to Australia right after to join the Adelaide Strikers for the BBL.