PCB Reverses NOC Ban; Babar, Shaheen, Rizwan Cleared to Feature in Big Bash League 2025-26
In a major development for international cricket and franchise leagues, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially revoked its No-Objection Certificate (NOC) ban on national men’s players, allowing them to participate in overseas tournaments. Among the top names now cleared are Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan, who are set to feature in the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 in Australia.
Background: PCB’s NOC Ban
The PCB’s NOC ban had been imposed in late September, just days after Pakistan’s defeat to India in the Asia Cup 2025 final. The decision effectively restricted players from joining overseas franchise leagues, including the BBL.
Interestingly, some key players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were not even part of the Asia Cup squad, yet were impacted by the blanket ban. The move caused concern among Cricket Australia (CA) and franchise teams, as seven of the eight BBL clubs had drafted Pakistani stars for the upcoming season.
Australian journalist Tom Morris highlighted the impact of the ban on SEN Radio:
“About three weeks ago, the Pakistan Cricket Board emailed agents of star players to tell them No-Objection Certificates would be on hold. Pakistan – like India – would not allow its players to play in the Big Bash or any franchise league outside of the country. This rocked the Big Bash, it rocked Cricket Australia. I’ve done more digging and understand CA reached out to the PCB, and now they have clarified that these seven players will be allowed to play this summer.”
Big Names Back in Action
With the NOC ban lifted, several marquee Pakistani players are now free to participate in the 2025-26 BBL:
- Babar Azam – Sydney Sixers
- Shaheen Afridi – Melbourne Stars
- Mohammad Rizwan – Hobart Hurricanes
- Haris Rauf – Adelaide Strikers
In a fan-friendly gesture, the Sydney Sixers have unveiled a special fan zone named ‘Babaristan’, celebrating Babar Azam’s arrival and promoting South Asian culture at their grounds.
BBL 2025-26 Schedule
The 2025-26 Big Bash League is set to kick off on December 14, 2025, with the final scheduled for January 25, 2026. Fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting Pakistan’s star players to light up the league, after a tense few weeks of uncertainty regarding their participation.
Implications of the NOC Reversal
- Ensures Pakistan’s top cricketers get valuable franchise exposure ahead of future ICC events.
- Relieves franchise teams and Cricket Australia from uncertainty, stabilizing squad planning.
- Signals PCB’s willingness to collaborate with global cricket boards to support player growth.
