The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), led by Chairman and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, has taken strict action against its players following their defeat to India in the Asia Cup 2025 final. Despite a closely contested match, Pakistan lost to India for the third time in the tournament.
No Objection Certificates Put on Hold
In a move confirmed on September 29, the PCB has suspended all No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for players seeking to participate in overseas T20 leagues. COO Sumair Ahmad Syed issued notices to players and their agents. The official statement did not cite a reason, but reports suggest that future NOCs may be tied to player performance in national and domestic cricket. No timeline has been provided for when the suspension will be lifted. A PCB notice seen by ESPNcricinfo stated: “With the approval of Chairman PCB, all No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for players with respect to participation in leagues and other out-of-country tournaments are hereby put on hold until further orders.”
Impact on Player Earnings
The suspension directly affects Pakistani cricketers’ earnings from international leagues. Players banned from the IPL already face limited income opportunities. Meanwhile, the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025 will feature several Pakistani stars, including Platinum category players Shaheen Shah Afridi (Brisbane Heat), Babar Azam (Sydney Sixers), Mohammad Rizwan (Melbourne Renegades), and Haris Rauf (Melbourne Stars), with expected earnings up to AUD 500,000 (~₹3 crore). Gold category players Hasan Ali (Adelaide Strikers), Shadab Khan (Sydney Thunder), and Hassan Khan (Melbourne Renegades) are estimated to earn around AUD 300,000 (~₹1.75 crore). Among these players, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf played in the Asia Cup 2025, while Hasan Ali and Shadab Khan were in the squad but did not feature in matches. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were not part of the Asia Cup squad.
Upcoming Leagues and Player Auctions
Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, and Naseem Shah are set for the ILT20 auctions on October 1, with Fakhar and Saim having played in the Asia Cup final, while Naseem was not part of the squad. Both the BBL in Australia and the International League T20 in the UAE are scheduled to begin in December, leaving the PCB’s suspended NOC policy to create uncertainty for Pakistani players’ participation and earnings in these lucrative tournaments.
Purpose of the Move
The PCB’s action appears aimed at encouraging players to prioritise domestic and international cricket for Pakistan over overseas league commitments. However, the abrupt suspension has left players and agents navigating an uncertain landscape.
