ISLAMABAD – Top Pakistani cricketers Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi have been denied No Objection Certificates (NOCs) by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for participation in the Global T20 League Canada.
The PCB’s decision comes in light of a densely packed cricket schedule stretching from August 2024 to March 2025. This period includes several crucial matches, such as those in the ICC World Test Championship and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
In a statement, the PCB explained that the decision was made after thorough discussions with the three players and the national selection committee. Given their roles as all-format cricketers, Babar, Rizwan, and Shaheen are deemed essential for Pakistan’s upcoming cricket commitments, which include nine Tests, 14 ODIs, and nine T20Is over the next eight months.
The PCB emphasized that foregoing the Canadian event is in the best interest of both Pakistan cricket and the players’ well-being. This decision aims to ensure the players maintain peak mental and physical condition for the demanding season ahead, which kicks off with a two-Test series against Bangladesh.
Earlier, the PCB had also denied Naseem Shah permission to participate in The Hundred for similar reasons. However, other players like Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Amir, and Mohammad Nawaz have been granted permission to play in foreign leagues.
The board’s careful management of player workloads reflects its commitment to the national team’s performance and the overall health of its key players during a critical period in the international cricket calendar.
