The Pakistan Cricket Board has introduced a strict directive aimed at restricting Pakistani cricketers from joining overseas franchise T20 leagues. According to the new order, players will not be allowed to participate in any international T20 competition without clearance, as the PCB has suspended the issuance of fresh No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and cancelled those that had already been granted.
This drastic measure comes in the wake of Pakistan’s humiliating Asia Cup 2025 campaign, where India dominated them in three consecutive encounters, including the high-stakes final. While Pakistan managed to stretch the final match into the last over, they were comprehensively outclassed by India throughout the tournament in terms of batting, bowling, and fielding.
On Tuesday, the PCB officially revoked all existing NOCs, immediately halting players’ participation in overseas cricket leagues. PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmad Syed, in a circulated notification, confirmed that all NOCs for foreign leagues stand suspended with immediate effect until further notice.
Asia Cup 2025: A Nightmare for Pakistan
Pakistan’s overall performance in the Asia Cup highlighted major gaps in skill and execution when compared to India. The disparity was most noticeable in batting depth and finishing ability. Despite efforts to rebuild their T20I squad, Pakistan’s young guns—Saim Ayub, captain Agha Salman, and Mohammad Haris—failed to provide consistency and stability during crucial stages.
In the final clash, Pakistan briefly challenged India with an impressive top-order stand. However, their batting line-up collapsed dramatically, losing the last nine wickets for just 33 runs, handing India another emphatic win. This collapse not only reflected technical shortcomings but also exposed Pakistan’s lack of composure under pressure.
Pakistan’s Struggle Against India in White-Ball Cricket
Pakistan’s struggle against India is not new. Since their lone victory in the 2022 Asia Cup, the men in green have repeatedly faltered against their arch-rivals in all formats of white-ball cricket. Each encounter has widened the performance gap between the two cricketing giants.
Adding to the woes, off-field controversies also marred Pakistan’s Asia Cup campaign. Some players faced disciplinary scrutiny for making provocative gestures towards Indian players. Fast bowler Haris Rauf was fined 30 percent of his match fee, while batter Sahibzada Farhan escaped with a warning from ICC match referees.
What Lies Ahead for Pakistan Cricket
After the Asia Cup fiasco, the PCB is determined to focus on domestic cricket and player development instead of allowing its players to participate in overseas T20 leagues. The suspension of NOCs is intended to refocus players’ priorities towards national duties and rebuilding the squad ahead of major tournaments.
Pakistan will now regroup as they prepare for the T20 World Cup 2026. Their next international assignment is a T20I series against South Africa, beginning October 28, which will be a crucial step in testing new strategies and addressing glaring weaknesses exposed during the Asia Cup.
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