The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suspended the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for foreign leagues, making future approvals conditional on players’ performance in international and domestic cricket.
According to a notification issued by PCB Chief Operating Officer Sameer Ahmed, all previously granted NOCs for overseas leagues and tournaments have been suspended until further notice.
The decision directly affects top national players, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, and Faheem Ashraf, who had already been cleared to participate in Australia’s Big Bash League.
Sources said the PCB has decided that only those cricketers who meet the set performance criteria will be eligible for NOCs in the future. Players failing to meet the standards will be required to train and improve their skills at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) under the supervision of coaches.
The move, PCB insiders explained, is aimed at ensuring that national players prioritize representing Pakistan and improving their performance, rather than focusing on foreign league opportunities.
The announcement came just a day after Pakistan’s defeat in the Asia Cup final, a loss that has already put the team’s performance under sharp scrutiny.
