In a surprising move, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suspended all No Objection Certificates (NOCs) that previously allowed Pakistani players to participate in overseas T20 leagues such as The Hundred, Vitality T20 Blast, Big Bash League (BBL), ILT20, and others.
The decision came a day after Pakistan’s disappointing loss to India in the Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai. While the PCB has not provided an official explanation, the board is reportedly aiming to have players focus on domestic competitions and national commitments.
Following the September 29 notice issued by PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmad Syed, the status of all Pakistani players’ participation in international T20 leagues remains uncertain, as all NOCs are now on hold pending further directives from PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
Asia Cup Defeat Costs Pakistani Players Their Overseas T20 Opportunities
“With the approval of the PCB Chairman, all No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for players concerning participation in leagues and other overseas tournaments are hereby suspended until further notice,” the notice, seen by ESPNcricinfo, stated.
Details regarding which foreign leagues are affected, the duration of the suspension, and possible exemptions remain unclear. The move appears to be a disciplinary response following Pakistan’s loss to India in the Asia Cup 2025 final.
The PCB’s ban prevents its top players from participating in franchise leagues worldwide—a policy India’s BCCI has enforced for nearly two decades. High-profile players such as Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, and Babar Azam are among those directly affected.
Babar Azam has been absent from Pakistan’s T20I squad for around a year. The PCB had tried to reinstate him during the Asia Cup 2025, but their request was denied by the tournament organizers.
Pakistani players had been scheduled to participate in the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) 2025–2026. Additionally, 18 players—including Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, and Naseem Shah—have been shortlisted for the ILT20 October 1 auction in the UAE.
The suspension comes at a particularly sensitive time, as the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan’s premier domestic first-class tournament, was postponed from September 22 to October.