Pakistani cricketers signed by Big Bash League (BBL) teams have received clearance to participate in the upcoming season after earlier concerns that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) would not issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for overseas leagues.

 

In late September, PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmad Syed issued a notice to players and agents stating that the board would temporarily stop granting NOCs for foreign T20 leagues. The move raised doubts about the participation of several Pakistani stars in the BBL.

 

However, Cricket Australia Chief Executive Todd Greenberg confirmed on Saturday that the issue had been resolved. 

 

“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, so looking forward to seeing them here this summer.”

 

Babar Azam (Sydney Sixers), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Brisbane Heat), Hasan Ali (Adelaide Strikers), Mohammad Rizwan (Melbourne Renegades), Haris Rauf (Melbourne Stars) and Shadab Khan (Sydney Thunder) will represent their respective franchises in the tournament.

 

The BBL is scheduled to begin on December 14 and will continue January 25, 2026.