The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has stirred up uncertainty across international cricket circles by suspending all No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for players taking part in foreign leagues. What’s making things even murkier is that the board hasn’t clarified whether retired players are affected, leaving several leagues in the United States and Canada in a tough spot.
Uncertainty Grows After PCB Revokes Player NOCs
The confusion started when the PCB canceled all previously issued NOCs for players participating in overseas leagues. The notification, sent to various league organizers around the world, did not clearly mention if the suspension applied to retired players. As a result, multiple leagues temporarily stopped Pakistani cricketers from playing until valid NOCs were reissued.
Pakistan Players Barred from USA and Canada Leagues
According to reports, on September 29, PCB Chief Operating Officer Sameer Ahmed Syed issued a directive stating: “With the approval of the PCB Chairman, all NOCs issued to players for participation in leagues and other foreign tournaments are suspended until further notice.”
This sudden move affected several Pakistani cricketers involved in international franchise leagues. Sohail Tanvir (Atlanta Kings), Wahab Riaz (Chicago Cricket Club), and Rumman Raees (Los Angeles Waves) were among those who were stopped from playing in the U.S. until they could secure fresh approvals.
Meanwhile, in Canada, the upcoming T10 League (Super60), scheduled to begin on October 8 in Vancouver, faced last-minute challenges. Players like Shoaib Malik (White Rock Warriors) and Saeed Ajmal (Mississauga Masters) were required to obtain new NOCs, forcing teams to make quick lineup changes before the tournament kicked off.
Wahab Riaz Steps In to Clear the Air
Cricket Pakistan later reported that the issue began to settle after former chief selector Wahab Riaz got involved to help resolve the confusion around the PCB’s decision.
The board’s initial announcement hadn’t specified whether the ban applied only to active players or also to those who had retired, leaving both players and league organizers unsure of what to do next.
Even though Wahab no longer holds an official PCB position, he continues to be closely associated with the board’s operations and often represents it in different roles. He was also seen commentating during the recent Asia Cup.
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“Sources revealed that the PCB’s notification did not specify whether the suspension applied to both current and retired players or only to active cricketers, leading to confusion among players and organizers alike,” the report read.
Pakistani Cricketers’ BBL Spots Now in Question
The suspension has also cast doubt over the participation of top Pakistani players in the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 season. Babar Azam (Sydney Sixers), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Brisbane Heat), and Mohammad Rizwan (Melbourne Renegades) were all drafted to play in Australia’s premier T20 competition.
However, their participation is uncertain after the PCB’s decision to suspend all player NOCs for overseas leagues. The timing raised eyebrows, as the suspension came shortly after Pakistan’s narrow defeat to India in the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup final.
The directive offered no details on possible exemptions or when the suspension might be lifted. Despite the setback, Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg shared his optimism, expressing hope that the Pakistani stars would still feature in the BBL, which begins on December 14 and overlaps with the ILT20 and Lanka Premier League.
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