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PCB approves Babar Azam and six other Pakistani players for BBL 2025–26: Report

Rajgeeta Yadav

Seven players get NOC [Source: @SixersBBL and @KhazranSpeaks/X.com]Seven players get NOC [Source: @SixersBBL and @KhazranSpeaks/X.com]

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has allowed its players to take part in Australia’s upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) Season 15, set to run from December 14, 2025, to January 25, 2026 as per the reports. This comes after the board lifted its earlier restriction on players joining overseas leagues.

Seven Pakistan players get NOC to play BBL

According to reports, seven Pakistan players have been given No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to play in the tournament. The list includes some of the country’s top stars, Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, and Hassan Khan. Both Cricket Australia and the players have been officially informed of this decision.

Just a few weeks ago, the PCB had temporarily suspended all NOCs for international leagues, saying it wanted to review its policy and possibly link these permissions to player performance. However, after a policy review, the board decided to allow players who already had contracts and prior approval to participate in BBL 15.

Each of the Pakistan stars will be representing different franchises across Australia. Babar Azam will make his BBL debut with the Sydney Sixers, Shaheen Afridi will play for Brisbane Heat as their first overseas platinum pick, and Mohammad Rizwan will represent the Melbourne Renegades. 

Meanwhile, Haris Rauf will continue with the Melbourne Stars, Shadab Khan will join Sydney Thunder, Hasan Ali has been picked by the Adelaide Strikers, and Hassan Khan will also feature for the Melbourne Renegades.

Notably, fans are particularly excited to see Babar Azam’s debut in the Big Bash League. The Sydney Sixers have even created a special fan zone called “Babaristan” to celebrate his arrival. 

"Introducing Babaristan, A fan zone like no other, celebrating cricket culture and the arrival of Babar Azam," Sydney Sixers posted on their official handle on social media platform X (formerly Twitter)

The BBL Season 15 will feature 44 matches, starting with an exciting opening game between the Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers at Perth Stadium.