KARACHI/LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has moved to suspend all No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) previously issued to national players for participation in overseas leagues. The board is now finalising a drastic new strategy to link any future approvals directly to a player’s performance metrics.
According to sources, a notification from PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmad Syed confirmed that all NOCs for foreign leagues have been placed on hold with immediate effect. The consequential decision was made just one day after the Pakistan team’s defeat in the Asia Cup final, highlighting the immediate fallout of the tournament.
Elite Players Impacted by Policy Shift
The sudden suspension impacts several of Pakistan’s key players, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, and Faheem Ashraf, all of whom had been granted permission to play in Australia’s upcoming Big Bash League (BBL).
PCB sources confirmed that the issuance of future NOCs will be strictly performance-based. Only players who meet defined standards in international and domestic cricket will be eligible for foreign contracts. Players failing to meet this criteria will now be required to train at the National Cricket Academy with coaches to enhance their skills before reapplying for overseas clearance.
The decision is aimed at compelling national players to prioritise their performance for Pakistan across both international and domestic competitions. The sources stressed that all previously issued NOCs, including those for the BBL, now stand suspended pending a comprehensive review of the players’ recent and forthcoming performances.
The Shaheen Afridi Angle
The suspension has immediate consequences for fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was set for his highly anticipated first stint in the Australian league after being drafted by the Brisbane Heat with the first overall pick in the BBL 15 Draft.
The Brisbane Heat had even announced the launch of the “Shaheen Shah Afridi Fan Bay” at their home ground, the Gabba, to celebrate his arrival. The cancellation or delay of this deployment underscores the disruptive nature of the PCB’s new, stringent policy direction.
