The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has hit the panic button following Pakistan’s disappointing Asia Cup 2025 campaign, where they lost three times to India — including the high-stakes final. In a dramatic move, the PCB has suspended the issuance of No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) that allow Pakistani cricketers to participate in overseas franchise T20 leagues.
According to an ESPNcricinfo report, the decision was made just a day after the Asia Cup final defeat. A formal notice from PCB’s Chief Operating Officer, Sumair Ahmad Syed, confirmed that all NOCs have been “put on hold until further orders” with approval from PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who has been under fire since the loss.
The suspension is believed to be linked to PCB’s internal performance evaluation system. Players who fail to meet the required standards may be barred from taking part in lucrative tournaments like the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia and the ILT20 in the UAE.
While clarity on the duration of the ban is awaited, sources suggest the PCB also wants to ensure that national stars remain available for domestic tournaments, particularly the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy starting in October.
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Big names affected: Babar Azam & Shaheen Afridi
The ruling has immediate implications for several marquee players. Seven Pakistani cricketers, including Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi, were set to feature in the upcoming BBL, while 16 others had registered for the ILT20 auction. Their participation now hangs in the balance.
This decision also draws parallels with the BCCI’s long-standing policy of not granting NOCs to Indian players for overseas leagues. Indian cricketers are limited to the IPL and domestic tournaments, a strategy that has strengthened their player pool. However, retired Indian stars like Dinesh Karthik and Ravichandran Ashwin have been exploring franchise cricket opportunities abroad — adding a twist to the ongoing debate.
For Pakistan, the suspension of NOCs is seen as both a disciplinary step and a desperate attempt to bring focus back to domestic cricket. Whether this move stabilizes their cricketing structure or causes further unrest remains to be seen.
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