KEY POINTS
- PCB suspends all players’ NOCs for foreign T20 leagues.
- Future NOCs to be linked with performance in international and domestic cricket.
- Babar Azam, Rizwan, Shaheen, Haris and Shadab’s BBL participation in doubt.
- Shaheen’s maiden BBL stint with Brisbane Heat jeopardised despite special “Fan Bay” launch.
LAHORE, Pakistan: Pakistan’s cricket board has suspended no-objection certificates (NOCs) for national players to participate in foreign leagues, after the national team’s defeat to India in the Asia Cup final, local media reported on Monday.
The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmad Syed issued a notification on September 29 placing all previously granted NOCs “on hold until further orders”.
The notice, cited by ESPNcricinfo and local media, stated the decision had been approved by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
While the PCB did not provide a formal explanation, sources cited by local media, said that future approvals would be tied to performance standards in both international and domestic cricket.
Players who fail to meet the benchmarks will be required to train at the National Cricket Academy before seeking overseas contracts.
The decision immediately throws into doubt the participation of several high-profile Pakistani cricketers in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) and other international tournaments.
Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan had all been picked by BBL franchises for the 2025 season, which begins in December.
Shaheen Afridi, drafted by Brisbane Heat with the first overall pick, was set for his maiden BBL stint, with the franchise even announcing a special “Shaheen Shah Afridi Fan Bay” at the Gabba stadium to mark his arrival. The suspension of NOCs now places that debut in jeopardy.
Pakistan players are also in demand in other leagues. Sixteen cricketers, including Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman, are shortlisted for the UAE’s ILT20 auction scheduled for Oct. 1.
The timing of the PCB move has drawn attention, coming immediately after Pakistan’s narrow last-over defeat to India in Dubai in the Asia Cup final on Sunday. Despite strong starts from their openers, Pakistan collapsed to 146 all out before India chased down the target in 19.4 overs.
The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan’s premier first-class competition, is due to begin in October, with the board keen to ensure national players prioritise domestic and international commitments over overseas leagues.
