The Pakistan Cricket Board has cleared 12 national cricketers for overseas commitments, with Noman Ali set to join Lancashire and 11 others receiving permission to play in the Caribbean Premier League.
PCB Approves Overseas Stints
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to 12 Pakistani cricketers, allowing them to participate in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2026 and England’s County Championship.
The decision enables the players to take part in overseas competitions while also managing their existing domestic commitments in Pakistan.
Among those receiving permission is experienced left-arm spinner Noman Ali, who has signed with Lancashire County Cricket Club for the remainder of the County Championship season.
Noman Ali Set for Lancashire Debut
Noman’s NOC is valid until September 27, allowing him to remain available to Lancashire for the specified period.
The left-arm spinner is scheduled to make his Lancashire debut against Northamptonshire on August 20 at Old Trafford.
The match will also be Lancashire’s Red Ball Celebration fixture, adding significance to Noman’s first appearance for the county.
His inclusion is expected to provide Lancashire with an experienced spin option for the remainder of its County Championship campaign.
11 Players Cleared for CPL
The PCB has also granted NOCs to 11 national cricketers for the 2026 CPL.
The players are:
- Shadab Khan
- Sufiyan Muqeem
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Naseem Shah
- Hunain Shah
- Hasan Nawaz
- Usman Khan
- Maaz Sadaqat
- Mohammad Haris
- Usman Tariq
- Usama Mir
The CPL 2026 began on Friday, with the Pakistani players now cleared to join their respective franchises according to the validity periods of their individual NOCs.
‘Fake News’: Khushdil Shah Denies Reports of Quitting Pakistan Cricket
Different NOC Periods for Players
The PCB has set different dates for the players depending on their domestic and international commitments.
NOCs for Shadab Khan, Sufiyan Muqeem, Sahibzada Farhan, Naseem Shah, Hunain Shah, Hasan Nawaz, Usman Khan and Maaz Sadaqat are valid from August 19 to September 21.
Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris received permission from August 7 to September 20.
Mystery spinner Usman Tariq has an NOC valid from August 8 to August 18, while leg-spinner Usama Mir can participate in the overseas league from August 7 to September 21.
Domestic Commitments Before CPL
The PCB’s decision follows the completion of domestic commitments for players involved in the National Champions Cup 2026-27.
The four-team List A tournament is scheduled to take place in Multan from August 11 to 18.
The PCB had indicated that players selected for the CPL would receive their NOCs after completing their responsibilities in the domestic competition.
Among the players involved in the tournament, Shadab Khan, Sufiyan Muqeem, Sahibzada Farhan, Naseem Shah, Usman Khan and Maaz Sadaqat are part of fixed playing XIs for their respective teams.
This arrangement allows the PCB to balance the demands of domestic cricket with the growing participation of Pakistani players in overseas franchise leagues.
Overseas Leagues Offer Valuable Experience
Participation in competitions such as the CPL provides Pakistani cricketers with an opportunity to gain experience in different playing conditions and interact with international players.
For the PCB, managing NOCs also involves balancing franchise commitments with domestic cricket and the national team’s requirements.
With 12 players now cleared for overseas assignments, the decision gives the cricketers an opportunity to continue competing at a high level while representing their respective overseas teams during the 2026 season.
