The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suspended No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for its players, barring them from participating in foreign T20 leagues, sources confirmed on Tuesday.
The move comes just a day after Pakistan’s loss to India in the Asia Cup 2025 final.
According to sources, PCB Chief Operating Officer Syed Sameer Ahmed issued the notification instructing players to withdraw from international leagues and prioritise domestic cricket instead.
Top cricketers, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, and Faheem Ashraf — who had been granted NOCs to feature in Australia’s Big Bash League — will now be directly affected by the suspension.
Aftermath of Asia Cup final
The decision follows Pakistan’s disappointing defeat against India in the Asia Cup final in Dubai. Members of the national squad, including captain Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, and Hassan Ali, returned to Lahore on Monday.
India secured their third consecutive Asia Cup title after chasing down Pakistan’s target in a tense final-over thriller. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav dismantled Pakistan’s batting order with figures of 4 for 30, while Tilak Verma’s unbeaten 69 and Shivam Dube’s quick 33 sealed a five-wicket victory.
With this win, India clinched their ninth Asia Cup trophy and stretched their winning streak over Pakistan to eight consecutive matches.
