PCB Cancels NOCs for Top Stars
Pakistan Cricket Board Cancels NOCs, Players Told to Focus on Domestic Cricket
In a surprising move, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Operating Officer Syed Sameer Ahmed has canceled all No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for national players, directing them to prioritize domestic cricket over overseas leagues.
The decision directly impacts top stars, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, and Faheem Ashraf, who were set to participate in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL).
The PCB’s announcement comes in the wake of Pakistan’s disappointing loss to India in the Asia Cup final in Dubai. Members of the national squad, including captain Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, and Hassan Ali, returned to Lahore on Monday.
Insiders suggest that strategic choices, such as Abrar’s benching to make room for Shadab Khan, have also shaped team management decisions.
The affected players had been among the most sought-after picks in the BBL drafts. Shaheen Shah Afridi was picked by Brisbane Heat, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan by Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Renegades respectively, while Shadab Khan joined Thunder. Pacers Hasan Ali and Haris Rauf were selected by Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Stars.
This sudden shift highlights PCB’s focus on strengthening domestic cricket as the national team looks to rebound from recent setbacks.
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