Chief Executive of Cricket Australia, Todd Greenberg, has confirmed that Pakistani cricketers have been cleared to participate in the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season, following recent coordination between Cricket Australia and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Speaking to media, Greenberg said that clearance for Pakistani players had been finalized last week, allowing several top national cricketers to join their respective BBL franchises. “We are very excited because some of Pakistan’s best players are part of the BBL. We look forward to seeing them in action this season,” he stated.
The development comes after the PCB initially decided to hold No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for national players due to international and domestic cricket commitments. However, the board later allowed players who already possessed valid NOCs to participate in overseas leagues, including the BBL.
Among the Pakistani players with BBL contracts this season are Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, and Hassan Khan, each representing different franchises in the Australian league.
Cricket Australia had also engaged in discussions with PCB officials to ensure clarity regarding player participation.
The upcoming BBL season is expected to attract strong interest from fans in both Pakistan and Australia, with several high-profile Pakistani stars returning to the competition.
