Cricket Australia Chief Executive Todd Greenberg has confirmed that Pakistani players contracted with the Big Bash League are now cleared to participate in the upcoming 15th edition of the league.
According to Geo Super, this announcement comes after concerns over the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) earlier decision to withhold No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for overseas leagues.
In late September, PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmad Syed issued a directive stopping Pakistani cricketers from joining foreign T20 tournaments.
Greenberg, however, assured fans on Saturday that the issue has been resolved.
“That came through last week,” Greenberg said.
“So they’ll all be playing, they’ve all been cleared to play, which we’re really excited about because we’ve got some great Pakistan players in the BBL. We’re looking forward to seeing them here this summer,” he added.
The confirmed Pakistani stars for BBL 15 include 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 will run from December 14 to January 25, 2026, with fans eagerly awaiting key clashes between Babar and Shaheen on January 5 and 18.
The BBL will also feature Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who joined Sydney Thunder after remaining unsold in the ILT20 auction.
Greenberg called Ashwin’s signing an important moment for the league, suggesting it could encourage more Indian players to explore overseas tournaments in the future.
“Short, medium term I think it is realistic over time,” Greenberg said about Indian players joining the league.
READ: Former Pakistan captain questions PCB over ‘verbal’ NOCs for foreign leagues
“We’re going to keep the dialogue open. I think that Ravichandran Ashwin coming is a really important moment for the BBL and it will highlight the strength of bringing Indian players into the league,” Greenberg added.
Cricket Australia is also considering private investment in the BBL to strengthen the league and compete on a global scale.
Greenberg stressed the importance of attracting the best players worldwide while supporting Australian talent.
“We should have aspirations to make sure the very best players, both here in Australia and globally, can play in the BBL,” he said.
“That costs money because players have leverage and opportunity to play all over the world. That’s one of the primary drivers [for] why we would consider bringing private capital into the BBL so that we can compete on the global stage,” he explained.
Greenberg also addressed concerns about player retention amid lucrative offers from international leagues.
While senior Australian players remain committed to representing their country, he emphasized the importance of nurturing the next generation.
“I think it’s a realistic concern for everybody that players have leverage and choice to play their trade all over the place,” he said.
“But I’d say this, every player I talk to, priority A is to play for their country…so that’s a really important marker. But, and there’s a big but here, the next generation is really what I’m focused on,” he concluded.
The CEO made these remarks during the launch of Cricket Australia’s new six-a-side Smash Series, a fast-paced, community-level format designed to be completed within 60 minutes.
The initiative aims to make cricket more accessible, featuring pairs-based batting and softer balls to encourage wider participation.
