Babar Azam Turns Down Two County Clubs To Save NOC For BBL

Jatin

Babar Azam has played for Somerset in the past [Source: @CallMeSheri1_/x.com]Babar Azam has played for Somerset in the past [Source: @CallMeSheri1_/x.com]

Babar Azam has once again been in the headlines but this time it isn’t about runs. Two County clubs (Yorkshire and Warwickshire) came knocking on his door, hoping Pakistan’s premier batter would bolster their line-ups in the final stretch of the season but according to reports from Geo News, Babar has politely turned them down.

Babar Azam Rejects County Stint Keeping Eyes On Bigger Leagues

The main roadblock was the PCB’s No Objection Certificate (NOC) quota. Pakistan’s centrally contracted players can only feature in a limited number of overseas leagues each year. For Babar, burning one of those NOCs on a short County stint didn’t make much sense. With a packed cricket calendar ahead, he has his eyes on bigger fish to fry.

Keeping The Powder Dry For BBL

Babar is expected to use one of his NOCs for the Big Bash League in December, where he wants to play a full season. Skipping County cricket now gives him breathing space and keeps him fresh for longer assignments.

Talks With Other Leagues

While he won’t be donning County whites this year, Babar Azam isn’t shutting the door on franchise cricket. He is believed to be in talks with other overseas leagues that could fit into his schedule without clashing with Pakistan’s commitments. For a player of his calibre, offers will always be on the table. It’s just about picking the right ones at the right time.

A Strategic Call

Fans in England may feel a little hard done by, especially after Babar’s earlier stints in the T20 Blast with Somerset where he lit up the stage. But after being excluded from Pakistan’s squad for Asia Cup 2025, this decision is less about opportunity and more about strategy. He knows his value, he knows his workload and he knows the kind of tournaments that can sharpen his game further.