Explained: Why Shadab And Rauf Aren’t On PCB NOC List For BBL, Despite Being In Overseas Draft | BBL 2025/26

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has published its latest list of No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for upcoming overseas domestic competitions, and as interesting as those included are those not on the list.

PCB releases NOC list for upcoming overseas leagues

First, those included. Several are known deals, but there are a few interesting tidbits. Test seamer Khurram Shahzad has been granted an NOC to play for Worcestershire, a deal that hadn’t at the time been announced by the club. Khawaja Nafay, yet to play for Pakistan but a rising Pakistan Super League star, has seemingly signed up to play in the second edition of the Global Super League, possibly for Rangpur Riders, who would become his third Bangladesh Premier League side.

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Then there are those not on the list. Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi have all received NOCs to play in the Big Bash League, matching up with them being named in the overseas draft list earlier this week. However, Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf, also up for grabs in the BBL, have not yet received NOCs. The former trio did not play a part in Pakistan’s 3-0 T20I series win over Bangladesh, while Rauf and Shadab did, but that is not at play here.

PCB: Rauf and Shadab have not yet applied for NOCs

Instead, Wisden.com understands that Rauf and Shadab are yet to apply for NOCs from the PCB, and that their applications will be considered when they do. Similarly, eagle-eyed Nottinghamshire fans will have noted that while the club have announced Mohammad Abbas has extended his stay at the club until the end of the season as his team fights for the County Championship title, his NOC is set to expire on July 2. Similarly, the PCB are yet to receive an NOC extension request, and will consider it when they do.

The PCB’s NOC policy has been a topic of discussion in recent years, with the governing body limiting its players to a maximum of two overseas competitions per year to manage workload, in contrast to other, more lenient organisations. Last year, Babar, Shaheen and Rizwan were denied NOCs to participate in the Global T20 Canada, perhaps explaining their eagerness to get permission this time.

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