Pakistani cricketers will give precedence to their national duties in the upcoming T20 series against Sri Lanka in January over their Big Bash League commitments.According to a report from Pakistani media outlet Geo Super, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued conditional No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to national players for overseas leagues, requiring them to prioritise national responsibilities.Several prominent Pakistani players have received NOCs for the Big Bash League spanning December 14 to January 28. The list includes Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, and Hasan Ali.The BBL’s 15th season will run from December 14, 2025, to January 25, 2026. The tournament will feature 44 matches in prime early-evening time slots.Babar Azam is scheduled to make his first BBL appearance with Sydney Sixers in the opening match against Perth Scorchers at Perth Stadium.Other Pakistani players have secured positions with various BBL teams. Brisbane Heat has signed Shaheen Afridi, Melbourne Renegades acquired Rizwan, Melbourne Stars secured Rauf, Sydney Thunder picked Shadab Khan, Adelaide Strikers drafted Hasan Ali, and Hassan Khan joined the Renegades.Pakistan’s T20 team will tour Sri Lanka during this period for three matches scheduled for January 7, 9, and 11 in Dambulla.The series will help Pakistan prepare for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which Sri Lanka and India will jointly host from February 7 to March 8.Sources indicate that players selected for the national squad must choose the Sri Lanka tour over BBL participation. Regular T20 squad members are unlikely to receive exemptions from the series.Australia will visit Pakistan for three T20 internationals in late January, following the Sri Lanka series.Additionally, NOCs valid until January 4 have been issued to Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah, and Hasan Nawaz for their participation in the IL T20 league.
