PCB to withhold NOCs to key players for major franchise leagues

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to withhold No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from several key players for upcoming franchise tournaments, according to ESPNCricinfo.

This decision comes after denying Naseem Shah an NOC for The Hundred.

The report indicates that Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, and Babar Azam will be unavailable for the Global T20 League Canada, starting July 25, due to workload management. The PCB aims to ensure its top players are well-rested for a busy national schedule, including a two-match Test series against Bangladesh starting on August 21.

While the PCB's current stance on NOCs doesn't imply a complete ban on all requests, it is expected to mainly affect players who regularly participate in all formats.

This policy is anticipated to extend beyond the upcoming leagues due to Pakistan's packed cricket schedule from October 2024 to May 2025. Consequently, the PCB will not approve NOC requests for all-format players during this period, which coincides with several T20 leagues.

As per the central contracts signed last year, players are permitted to participate in two overseas franchise leagues annually, provided there are no conflicting international commitments.