Melbourne, Oct 25 (NationPress) The prominent cricketers from Pakistan have now received clearance to join the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) after earlier doubts surrounding the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) position on issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for international leagues. This significant update comes after a communication from the PCB’s chief operating officer, Sumair Ahmad Syed, in late September, which had temporarily restricted players from engaging in foreign T20 leagues. However, Cricket Australia (CA) has now confirmed that this issue has been resolved, allowing all Pakistani athletes with BBL contracts to compete as scheduled.

“That confirmation arrived last week,” stated CA chief executive Todd Greenberg in a quote reported by ESPNCricinfo. “We are thrilled that they are all set to play, as we have some fantastic Pakistani talents in the BBL, and we eagerly anticipate their performances this summer.”

Among the notable Pakistani athletes confirmed for this season are Babar Azam (Sydney Sixers), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Brisbane Heat), Hasan Ali (Adelaide Strikers), Mohammad Rizwan (Melbourne Renegades), Haris Rauf (Melbourne Stars), and Shadab Khan (Sydney Thunder).

The tournament is set to kick off on December 14 and will run until January 25, with fans particularly excited about the anticipated matchups between Babar and Shaheen on January 5 and January 18.

Additionally, the BBL will welcome Ravichandran Ashwin, who will participate for the entire season with Sydney Thunder—this major signing has ignited conversations about the potential future involvement of Indian players in overseas leagues.

“In the short to medium term, I believe it is realistic to expect more Indian players to follow Ashwin’s example,” Greenberg commented when questioned about this possibility. “We will continue to keep the dialogue open. Ravichandran Ashwin's arrival is a pivotal moment for the BBL and underscores the advantages of including Indian players in the league. The outcomes of this will unfold over time and may be influenced by whether we incorporate private investment in the BBL, which is currently under discussion.”

Cricket Australia is actively pursuing private investment in the BBL, with both Greenberg and CA chair Mike Baird expressing optimism about achieving significant progress by the end of the year. “We must aim to ensure that the very best players, both in Australia and internationally, can participate in the BBL,” Greenberg added.

“This requires investment, as players have the leverage to explore opportunities worldwide… We are a small domestic market, but we are competing on a global scale, and to do that, we need to present the best version of ourselves.”

Greenberg also recognized the increasing worries regarding player retention, especially after reports indicated that Pat Cummins and Travis Head had turned down offers worth A£10 million from IPL-affiliated franchises.

“It is a legitimate concern for everyone that players have the freedom to choose where to play,” he noted. “However, I can confidently say that every player I speak with prioritizes representing their country... that is a crucial point. Yet, the significant concern lies with the next generation. I am less worried about the current players and more focused on the future talents.”

Greenberg’s remarks coincided with CA's launch of its new community-level Smash Series, a six-a-side format designed to be completed within 60 minutes, featuring paired batting and softer balls—this initiative aims to introduce the sport to new audiences while continuing its global appeal.