PCB Suspends NOCs for Players After Asia Cup Final Defeat
In a surprising move, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has temporarily suspended all No Objection Certificates (NOCs) issued to its players for participation in overseas T20 leagues. The decision comes in the aftermath of Pakistan’s five-wicket loss to India in the Asia Cup final, their third consecutive defeat against the arch-rivals. Reports suggest that seven Pakistani cricketers, including former skipper Babar Azam and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, were set to feature in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) later this year.
According to ESPNCricinfo, the notice signed by PCB CEO Sumair Ahmad Syed stated that, “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.” While no official reason has been cited, the sudden suspension has cast doubt on the participation of Pakistani stars in upcoming global franchise leagues.
The development directly impacts players like Azam (Sydney Sixers), Rizwan (Melbourne Renegades), Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan (Sydney Thunder), and Hasan Ali (Adelaide Strikers), all of whom were lined up for the BBL. Additionally, three Pakistani players were set to go under the hammer at the ILT20 auction on September 30. PCB regulations already restrict contracted players to a maximum of two overseas leagues in a 12-month period, but the latest move threatens to cut off opportunities altogether, just weeks before the BBL kicks off on December 14.
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