Babar Azam and other Pakistan players have being cleared by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to play the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26, which will kickoff on December 14, 2025. Following Pakistan’s defeat
against Team India in the Asia Cup 2025 final, PCB took a decision to stop players’ participation in overseas T20 leagues. However, uncertainty has now ended as PCB has allowed former captain and some top-tier players to participate in Australia’s premier T20 league. Babar is a part of Sydney Sixers and the 31-year-old’s services will be crucial for the three-time BBL champions.
As per a report from SEN, the PCB has changed its stance and the receiving the No Objection Certificates (NOCs) will be granted to marquee names such as Babar, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Rizwan, Hasan Ali, Shadab Khan, and Hassan Khan. The report further stated that PCB’s former stand on NOC caused concern among Cricket Australia and (CA) and BBL franchises. However, CA and PCB have now resolved the issue.
Babar Azam to play in his maiden BBL season this year
Babar Azam will be playing his maiden BBL season and he is expected to play impressively at Sixers. Besides Azam, England all-rounder Sam Curran will be another overseas name to feature in Sixers’ squad. Veteran Steve Smith and Azam will be teammates in the BBL 2025-26 season.
This year, Ravichandran Ashwin will also be seen in the BBL. He will serve Sydney Thunder and his teammate will be Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan. Ashwin and Shadab might be handed the task to be together and solidify Thunder’s spin-bowling attack. BBL will be played under January 25 and during this period, 44 matches will be taking place. Perth Scorchers will be defending the title.
