The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) created uncertainty in the global cricket circuits by discontinuing all No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for players in foreign leagues. However, the board did not mention whether retired players were affected, which affected players participating in leagues in the United States (US) and Canada.
The confusion started after the PCB revoked all previously issued NOCs for players in foreign leagues. The notice, which was sent to competition organizers worldwide, did not clarify whether retired players were involved. Several leagues temporarily banned Pakistani cricketers from participating until valid NOCs could be produced.
Pakistani players banned from US and Canada after Asia Cup fiasco
According to reports, PCB Chief Operating Officer Sameer Ahmed Syed issued a notice on September 29 stating, “With the approval of the PCB Chairman, all NOCs issued to players for participation in leagues and other foreign tournaments are suspended until further notice.”
Your daily dose of cricket!
The move affected several cricketers in franchise leagues. Sohail Tanvir (Atlanta Kings), Wahab Riaz (Chicago Cricket Club) and Rumman Raees (Los Angeles Waves) were banned from playing in the US until new clearances were obtained.
The Canada T10 League (Super60), which was scheduled to kick off in Vancouver on October 8, required players like Shoaib Malik (White Rock Warriors) and Saeed Ajmal (Mississauga Masters) to obtain updated NOCs, forcing teams to make last-minute adjustments.
Wahab Riaz steps in to resolve PCB NOC’s suspension from foreign competitions
According to Cricket Pakistan, the confusion over the suspension of player NOCs by the PCB was resolved after former chief selector Wahab Riaz intervened.
The PCB’s initial notification did not specify whether the ban applied only to active players or also to retired cricketers, creating uncertainty for players and league organizers.
Although Wahab no longer holds an official position within the board, he remains closely associated with PCB activities and regularly represents the board in various capacities. He was also seen as a commentator for a major international cricket platform during the Asia Cup.
“Sources revealed that the PCB notification did not specify whether the suspension applied to both current and retired players or only to active cricketers, leading to confusion among both players and organisers,” the report said.
BBL participation of Pakistani stars in doubt after PCB suspends NOCs
Several stars, including Babar Azam (Sydney Sixers), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Brisbane Heat) and Mohammad Rizwan (Melbourne Renegades), were called up for the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26.
However, their participation was threatened when the PCB abruptly suspended all player NOCs for overseas competitions. The ban was issued shortly after Pakistan’s narrow loss to India in the final of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup.
The directive did not make clear whether exceptions could be made and when they could be lifted. Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg expressed hope that Pakistan’s stars will still feature in the BBL, which starts on December 14 and overlaps with the ILT20 and Lanka Premier League.
Also read: Mohammed Siraj reaches career best in ICC Test Rankings after Ahmedabad Test
#Pakistani #players #banned #Canada #Asia #Cup #fiasco