LAHORE: A major development has emerged regarding the participation of Pakistani cricketers in the Big Bash League (BBL), as players have now been bound to prioritize national duty.
According to sources, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made it clear that any player selected for the T20 series against Australia and Sri Lanka must give top priority to representing the national team under all circumstances.
Sources revealed that although the PCB has issued NOCs for participation in the BBL, players have been directed to remain available for Pakistan at all times.
If selected for the T20 squad, national cricketers will be required to immediately leave the league and travel to Sri Lanka. Pakistan is scheduled to play three T20 matches in Dambulla on January 7, 9, and 11, as part of preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
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It is expected that regular T20 players will not be granted exemption from this series. The PCB has issued conditional NOCs to Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, and Hasan Ali from December 14 to January 28. These players will have to exit the BBL if they are included in the national squad.
According to sources, if selected, players will travel directly from Australia to Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, the PCB has issued NOCs for Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah, and Hassan Nawaz to participate in ILT20 until January 4.
The PCB maintains that approval for participation in foreign leagues is always conditional upon national duty, and the Pakistan cricket team remains the top priority for all players.
