Big blow for national cricketers as PCB takes major decision on NOCs for league cricket

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has introduced a new policy restricting the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for national cricketers participating in various leagues.

Following a meeting chaired by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, along with head coaches and the international department, it was decided that players participating in all three formats—Tests, ODIs, and T20s—will not receive NOCs for league participation this year.

This decision comes as Pakistan’s cricket calendar remains packed until May next year, with a total of 9 Tests, 14 ODIs, and 9 T20 matches scheduled, starting from the upcoming series against Bangladesh leading up to the Champions Trophy in 2025.

The PCB aims to manage player workload and prevent fatigue, ensuring that players stay fresh and reduce the risk of injuries.

As part of this policy, fast bowler Naseem Shah was also denied an NOC for the Hundred tournament. Notably, star players Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan have contracts for the Global T20 tournament, which is set to run from July 25 to August 11, but the ICC has yet to approve this event.

Under the new guidelines, the PCB is focused on allowing players to participate in two foreign leagues alongside the Pakistan Super League (PSL), prioritizing their health and performance throughout a busy cricketing season.