PCB issues NOCs to nine national players for Bangladesh Premier League

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to nine national cricketers, clearing their participation in the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). The NOCs are valid until January 23, 2026, allowing the players to feature in the tournament, which will run from December 26 to January 24.

The list of players granted NOCs includes Muhammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Sahibzada Farhan, Hussain Talat, Ehsanullah, Haider Ali, Abrar Ahmed, Khawaja Nafi, and Salman Irshad. These players will join other international stars in what is expected to be an exciting season of the BPL.

The PCB’s decision comes after a series of similar approvals for foreign T20 leagues, despite prior controversies surrounding the issuance of NOCs for players’ participation in overseas competitions. Earlier this year, the PCB had withheld NOCs for several national players, including prominent names like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan, who were originally cleared for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia.

PCB’S SHIFTING STANCE ON NOCS FOR FOREIGN LEAGUES

The board’s stance on NOCs for foreign T20 leagues has been fluctuating. In September, the PCB reportedly reversed its earlier approvals for several national players who had been granted NOCs for international T20 leagues, including the BBL, due to new directives from PCB’s Chief Operating Officer Sameer Ahmed.

The revoked NOCs had created uncertainty for high-profile players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan, all of whom were originally scheduled to play in the BBL. With the PCB’s decision to withhold clearances, the participation of these players in the BBL now hangs in the balance, potentially affecting their contractual commitments with overseas franchises.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PLAYER CONTRACTS AND FINANCIALS

The shifting stance on NOCs could have significant implications for the players’ contracts with foreign T20 franchises, potentially leading to complications and financial repercussions. Players like Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, and Hassan Khan were also issued NOCs earlier in the year for various foreign leagues, but with the board’s reversal, their participation in those competitions could be at risk.

In the case of the BPL, however, the situation appears more settled for the nine cricketers granted NOCs, allowing them to participate in the upcoming tournament without further hindrance. This decision comes at a time when the BPL is gearing up for its latest edition, which is expected to showcase top-tier T20 talent from around the globe.

With the PCB granting NOCs to nine players for the BPL, the players will have the opportunity to compete on an international stage, continuing to hone their skills and gain valuable experience in the fast-paced T20 format. However, the board’s inconsistent approach to NOCs for foreign leagues could continue to create uncertainty for other national players, leaving the future of their participation in overseas tournaments in question.