Babar Azam punished for Pakistan’s DISASTROUS Asia Cup, BBL participation cancelled

Babar Azam has been hit hardest by Pakistan’s latest crackdown. In a shocking move, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suspended all No Objection Certificates (NOCs) that allow Pakistani players to participate in the overseas T20 leagues, including the upcoming Big Bash League 2025-26 (BBL 2025-26) in Australia.

The PCB took the decision just a day after Pakistan’s crushing five-wicket loss to India in the Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai. While no official reason has been provided for the move, it is being said that the PCB wants all the players to focus on domestic competitions and national priorities.

Pakistan Cricket Board's Chief Operating Officer, Sumair Ahmad Syed, issued the notice on September 29, putting all the NOCs issued to the Pakistani players on hold until further orders from Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, leaving players and agents in uncertainty over their availability for the overseas T20 leagues.

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Babar Azam biggest loser as PCB suspends all NOCs for overseas T20 leagues

According to ESPNcricinfo, the notice to the players and their agents read, “With the approval of Chairman PCB, all No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for players with respect to participation in leagues and other out-of-country tournaments are hereby put on hold until further orders.”

The details about possible exemptions, the duration of the suspension, or the details around the NOCs for the overseas leagues remain unclear. It seems that PCB took this harsh step to punish the players for their Asia Cup 2025 final loss to India, but it was Babar Azam who was the biggest loser.

Babar Azam has already been out of Pakistan’s T20I setup for almost one year, and even the board tried to bring him back into the squad in the middle of the tournament, but the organizers denied their request. Having already lost a spot in Pakistan's T20I side, he was also blocked from taking part in the franchise leagues.

Asia Cup 2025 loss costs Pakistan stars their overseas league stints

Now, amid Asia Cup trophy drama, PCB shut the door on its top players’ participation in the franchise leagues around the world; that is something BCCI has been doing for around two decades. The decision directly affects several high-profile players, including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi.

They were scheduled to play in the upcoming Big Bash League 2025-26 (BBL 2025-26). Additionally, 18 Pakistani cricketers, including Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, and Fakhar Zaman, have been shortlisted for the upcoming ILT20 auction in the UAE on October 1.

The timing is particularly significant, with the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan’s premier domestic first-class tournament, set to begin in October after being delayed from September 22.

Read Also: Watch- Salman Ali Agha, Mike Hesson enter Indian dressing room in final; again return empty-handed

Babar Azam prepares for South Africa Tests at NCA

Babar Azam is already taking part in the special red-ball camp at the NCA for the upcoming Test series against South Africa. On the other hand, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Salman Agha, and Shaheen Shah Afridi will join the camp at the NCA on October 4.

The PCB has also named an 18-man squad for the upcoming two-match Test series at home against South Africa.

They have named three uncapped players in the squad, and they are the spin-bowling allrounder Asif Afridi, left-arm wrist-spinner Faisal Akram, and wicketkeeper-batter Rohail Nazir. Shan Masood will continue to lead the Test team.

The squad also features Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Rizwan, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, and Shaheen.

Read Also: Pakistan submits Indian Cricket Team suspension bid to ICC post Mohsin Naqvi trophy drama