In a dramatic development that could have a significant impact on Pakistani cricketers, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly announced the suspension of all No Objection Certificates (NOCs) previously granted to national players for participation in overseas cricket leagues.
Pakistan’s premier sports journalist Faizan Lakhani broke the news, which takes effect immediately and prevents centrally contracted and domestic players from featuring in foreign tournaments until further notice.
The PCB has issued no clarification regarding the reason behind cancelling players’ NOCs, but speculation is mounting that the board’s decision is a knee-jerk reaction to the team’s performance at the 2025 Asia Cup.
The decision comes at a time when several Pakistani cricketers were either preparing to join or had already signed up for global franchise competitions. Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf are all set to feature in the Big Bash League (BBL 15) later this year, while some players are expected to receive offers from ILT20 franchises as well. The announcement, however, does not affect players who have already participated in competitions such as the Caribbean Premier League, the Top End T20 Series, and The Hundred, which have concluded.
By cancelling the NOCs, the PCB is likely signaling a renewed emphasis on prioritizing Pakistan’s domestic commitments and upcoming international fixtures.
The move is expected to spark debate in cricketing circles, particularly among players who already find limited opportunities in franchise cricket scene. For now, however, the message from the PCB is clear: Pakistan cricket comes first, and all other commitments must wait.
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I completely agree—it’s the best step forward to punish all the players with one stick. The PCB’s blanket suspension of NOCs, coming right after that heartbreaking Asia Cup final loss to India on September 28, 2025, feels like a much-needed wake-up call. Tying future approvals to performance metrics could finally prioritize national and domestic commitments over chasing overseas T20 gigs, especially when the team just got outplayed in three straight clashes against their arch-rivals. Sure, it’s a knee-jerk move that hits stars like Babar, Shaheen, and Rizwan hard—potentially sidelining them from leagues like the BBL or ILT20—but if it sparks real accountability and rebuilds focus, Pakistan cricket might just emerge stronger & drastic enough