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Babar, Shaheen among PAK stars to miss BBL 2025-26 matches due to Sri Lanka T20Is: Report

Rajgeeta Yadav

Pakistan players to prioritise Sri Lanka series [Source: AFP]Pakistan players to prioritise Sri Lanka series [Source: AFP]

Pakistan will start their preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup with a three-match T20I series in Sri Lanka early next year. The matches will take place on January 7, 9 and 11 in Dambulla. As per the report, national players may need to step away from foreign leagues if they are chosen for this important tour. 

National duties remain the top priority at all times; therefore, foreign league participation depends on conditional No Objection Certificates (NOCs).

Babar Azam and other pakistan players receive NOCs

For the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia, NOCs have been issued from December 14 to January 28. Several leading Pakistani cricketers, such as Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali, have received approval to play during this period. 

The upcoming 15th edition of the BBL will run from December 14, 2025, to January 25, 2026, featuring 44 matches scheduled in prime early-evening slots.

Notably, Pakistan former captain Babar Azam is preparing to make his BBL debut for the Sydney Sixers in a high-profile opener against the Perth Scorchers at Perth Stadium on December 14.

Meanwhile, other Pakistan stars have joined various BBL teams. Shaheen Afridi has been signed by Brisbane Heat as their first overseas platinum pick. Rizwan will represent the Melbourne Renegades, Haris Rauf will play for the Melbourne Stars, Shadab Khan has joined Sydney Thunder, and Hasan Ali will feature for the Adelaide Strikers. Additionally, Hassan Khan will also appear for the Renegades.

However, the Pakistan T20 squad will be touring Sri Lanka during the same period. Consequently, any player selected for national duty will shift focus to the Sri Lanka series. As per the Geo Super sources the  permanent members of the T20I squad are unlikely to receive exemptions from these matches.

Following the Sri Lanka tour, Australia will visit Pakistan for a three-match T20I series in the final week of January. Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah and Hasan Nawaz have been granted NOCs for the ILT20 league until January 4.

Pakistan will then return to Sri Lanka for the 2026 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India from February 7 to March 8.