The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has cancelled the No Objection Certificates (NOCs) granted to national players for participation in overseas T20 leagues following the team’s five-wicket loss to India in the Asia Cup 2025 final. The defeat marked Pakistan’s third consecutive loss against their arch-rivals.
According to reports, seven Pakistan players, including former skipper Babar Azam, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, and pacer Shaheen Afridi, had received NOCs to feature in upcoming leagues such as Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) and the UAE’s ILT20. However, a notice issued by PCB CEO Sumair Ahmad Syed confirmed that all approvals have been put on hold with immediate effect.
“With the approval of Chairman PCB, all No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for players with respect to participation in leagues and other out of country tournaments are hereby put on hold until further orders,” the statement read.
The decision impacts high-profile signings, with Babar Azam contracted to Sydney Sixers, Rizwan to Melbourne Renegades, and Shadab Khan to Sydney Thunder. Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali were also picked for BBL franchises, while three players were set to go under the hammer at the ILT20 auction on September 30.
Under PCB rules, centrally contracted players are permitted to participate in only two overseas T20 leagues per 12-month cycle. The latest move leaves the future of Pakistani participation in the BBL uncertain, just weeks before the league’s start on December 14.