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LAHORE: Pakistan cricketers set to feature in the Big Bash League (BBL) 15, commencing on 14 December in Australia, will prioritize national duty over the league, reports claimed on Wednesday.
This comes after the announcement of the T20I series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, which will be played on 7, 9, and 11th January in Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.
The series between the Green Shirts and the Islanders will serve as preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India from 7 February to 8 March.
Following the Sri Lanka tour, Australia is scheduled to tour Pakistan for a three-match T20I series at the end of January.
According to the reports, Conditional No Objection Certificates (NOCs) are issued to national players for participation in overseas leagues, in which they are directed to prioritize the national duties over franchise cricket.
Furthermore, the reports claim that players will prioritise the Sri Lanka tour over the BBL, and permanent members of the T20 squad are unlikely to receive exemptions from the series.
Notably, NOCs for the BBL have reportedly been granted to national cricketers from 14 December to 28 January.
The players who have received NOCs are Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, and Hasan Ali.
For the unversed, the 15th edition of the BBL will run from 14 December to 25 January 2026, featuring 44 matches scheduled in prime early-evening slots.
Babar is set to make his BBL debut for the Sydney Sixers. Shaheen Afridi was signed by Brisbane Heat as their first overseas platinum pick, and Rizwan joins Melbourne Renegades.
Rauf will represent Melbourne Stars, Shadab Khan was signed by Sydney Thunder, Hasan Ali was drafted by Adelaide Strikers, and Hassan Khan will play for the Renegades.
First T20I: Wednesday, January 7, Dambulla
Second T20I: Friday, January 9, Dambulla
Third T20I: Sunday, January 11, Dambulla
