ISLAMABAD (PEN) : The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to 13 players, including prominent figures Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, allowing them to participate in various international franchise leagues through the end of 2025.
Key Players Cleared for International Leagues
Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi are set to feature in the Big Bash League (BBL) draft scheduled for June 19. Their NOCs will remain valid from December 14 to 28. The trio had previously been absent from Pakistan’s recent T20I series against Bangladesh, and their participation in the BBL marks a significant engagement in overseas cricket .
Former international pacer Mohammad Amir, currently playing for Essex in the T20 Blast, has been cleared until July 18. Fellow quick Haris Rauf has received approval to feature in the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025, which begins this week. Shan Masood, the Test skipper, has been granted permission to continue representing Leicestershire in the County Championship until September 1.
Other Players Granted NOCs
Additional Pakistani fast bowlers involved in County cricket have also secured clearance:
Mohammad Abbas – until July 2
Hasan Ali – until September 30
Khurram Shahzad – until September 27
All-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has been given NOCs for the Guyana Super League and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Rising batting talent Khawaja Nafay has also received PCB’s nod to take part in the Global Super League .
Strategic Decision Amid Busy Schedule
The PCB’s decision to grant NOCs reflects a strategic approach to balancing players’ participation in lucrative overseas leagues with the national team’s commitments. This move aims to ensure that key players remain engaged in international cricket while also benefiting from the experience and exposure provided by overseas leagues.
As the international cricket calendar remains packed, the PCB’s approach to managing player workloads and participation in overseas leagues will continue to be a topic of interest for both players and fans alike.
