Pakistan players cleared to play in BBL after NOC uncertainty

Pakistan players cleared to play in BBL after NOC uncertainty

Pakistan’s top cricketers have been cleared to take part in the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) following earlier uncertainty over the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to withhold No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for overseas tournaments.

The development was confirmed by Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive Todd Greenberg, who said the PCB’s approval had officially come through.

“That came through last week,” Greenberg said. “So they’ll all be playing — they’ve all been cleared to play, which we’re really excited about because we’ve got some great Pakistan players in the BBL. We’re looking forward to seeing them here this summer.”

The PCB had previously issued a directive in late September — signed by chief operating officer Sumair Ahmad Syed — that effectively barred players from participating in foreign T20 leagues. However, that stance has now been relaxed, clearing the way for Pakistan stars to feature in Australia’s premier T20 competition.

Among those confirmed for the 2025–26 BBL season, which runs from December 14 to January 25, are:

  • Babar Azam (Sydney Sixers)

  • Shaheen Shah Afridi (Brisbane Heat)

  • Hasan Ali (Adelaide Strikers)

  • Mohammad Rizwan (Melbourne Renegades)

  • Haris Rauf (Melbourne Stars)

  • Shadab Khan (Sydney Thunder)

Fans are already anticipating the marquee clashes between Babar and Shaheen, scheduled for January 5 and 18. The league will also feature Ravichandran Ashwin, who is set to play a full season with the Sydney Thunder, adding further star power to the competition.

Greenberg described Ashwin’s inclusion as a “significant moment” for the BBL and hinted at the possibility of more Indian players joining the league in the future.

“I think Ravichandran Ashwin coming is a really important moment for the BBL,” Greenberg said. “It will highlight the strength of bringing Indian players into the league. What that manifests over time is to be seen — some of it depends on whether we take private capital into the BBL, which is an open conversation for us right now.”

Cricket Australia is currently considering private investment to help the BBL compete globally and retain top talent, both international and domestic. Greenberg acknowledged that while senior Australian players such as Pat Cummins and Travis Head have so far resisted lucrative global offers, the next generation may present a bigger challenge.

“Players now have leverage and opportunities all over the world,” he said. “The current group still prioritises playing for their country, but we need to ensure the next generation has the same motivation while also being financially secure.”

Greenberg’s comments came as CA launched its new “Smash Series”, a six-a-side community cricket format designed to be played in under an hour. The initiative aims to make cricket more accessible and engaging for new players across Australia.