The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has barred members of the national cricket team from playing in international leagues, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday. The Board had suspended the no- objection certificates (NOCs) issued to several cricketers, including Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah. 

However, they added that the Board would later review its decision and would allow several players to participate in international leagues. On June 10, 2025, the PCB had issued NOCs to a select group of players, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan, enabling them to participate in various high-profile international leagues this summer.

The move came as part of the board's broader strategy to give players valuable exposure while balancing their workload.According to the PCB's announcement, centrally contracted players are permitted to participate in only two foreign leagues per calendar year.The issuance of NOCs is therefore contingent on this rule, which the PCB uses to maintain a balance between players' international commitments and their opportunities to play in lucrative franchise competitions.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)