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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has barred national players from participating in overseas T20 leagues following the Asia Cup 2025 final.
According to Cricinfo, Sumair Ahmad Syed has informed the players and agents of the decision on September 29.
“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 report quoted the notification.
However, the reason behind the decision is unknown. The report further stated that the PCB wants to link the NOCs to a performance-based system for which the criteria have not been made public.
The move came a day after Pakistan’s last-over defeat against arch-rivals India in the Asia Cup 2025 final.
The decision puts Pakistan’s key players Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi’s participation in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025 in doubt.
It is worth mentioning that Pakistani players were among the popular selections in the BBL 15 overseas draft held earlier this year.
Babar Azam was roped in by the Sydney Sixers, whereas Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi were drafted by the Melbourne Renegades and the Brisbane Heat.
Haris Rauf, a regular in the BBL, was retained by Melbourne Stars, the franchise where he has become a fan favourite over the years with his pace and aggression.
Shadab Khan will return to the BBL circuit as well, having been drafted by the Sydney Thunder. Meanwhile, in-form pace bowler Hasan Ali found a new home in Australia, picked by the Adelaide Strikers to bolster their bowling attack.
Notably, Pakistan’s gap in the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP) from November to February provides their top cricketers a window of opportunity to participate in the BBL 15.
