PAKISTAN CRICKET BOARD (PCB) has suspended all previously issued No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) that allowed national players to feature in overseas leagues. A new performance-based policy will now govern future approvals.
According to ESPNCricinfo, the board’s chief operating officer, Sumair Ahmad Syed, issued a circular on 29 September notifying players and their agents of the decision. The move is intended to ensure that Pakistan’s leading cricketers remain focused on delivering consistent performances across all formats for the national side.
“With the approval of the Chairman PCB, all No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for participation in overseas leagues and tournaments are hereby put on hold until further notice,” the notice stated.
The directive directly impacts top players such as Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, and Faheem Ashraf, who had previously been cleared to take part in Australia’s Big Bash League.
PCB sources indicated that, going forward, NOC approvals will be linked to individual performance in both international and domestic cricket. Players not meeting the required benchmarks will be asked to train at the National Cricket Academy under the supervision of coaches to improve their skills before reapplying.
