29 Pakistani Cricketers Register for APL Draft Amid NOC Uncertainty

Twenty-nine cricketers from Pakistan have formally entered their names for the Afghanistan Premier League draft, despite strong expectations that the Pakistan Cricket Board will deny their No-Objection Certificate requests. Among the registrants are Naseem Shah, Arafat Minhas, Hasan Nawaz, and Saim Ayub—players currently featured in Pakistan’s white-ball setup.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board confirmed receipt of these registrations ahead of the APL, set to commence on December 27, 2026.

Left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman, recently the top scorer in an ODI tri-series final in Lahore, is among the Pakistanis who signed up. Additionally, ten players from Bangladesh have registered, including Shakib Al Hasan in the Diamond category and Rishad Hossain in Platinum. The Bangladesh group also features Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Mushfiqur Rahim. In total, 462 players from various nations have been shortlisted across the APL draft categories.

Is the PCB Likely to Approve NOCs for the APL?

The Pakistan Cricket Board’s position on NOCs for overseas franchise leagues has repeatedly caused friction in recent months. The board denied clearances for seven players ahead of the Nepal Premier League in October 2026, and a similar dispute arose over Major League Cricket in July 2026. Both cases centered on a reported USD 25,000-per-player fee the PCB requested from franchises. Diplomatic tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have further influenced the board’s reluctance to grant NOCs.

Asked whether NOCs would be issued for the APL, a Pakistan Cricket Board official replied bluntly: “I don’t think so.” The remark suggests most of the 29 registered players are unlikely to receive clearance, even though their names remain in the draft pool.

Mohammad Amir’s Registration Draws Attention

Pakistan-born cricketer Mohammad Amir has drawn particular attention after registering for the APL draft as a United Kingdom national. Holding British citizenship and listing the UK as his country of residence, Amir filed under the UK rather than Pakistan.

This pathway allows him to bypass the NOC requirement applicable to Pakistan-registered players, and his registration has fueled speculation regarding his eligibility for other franchise competitions. While the APL’s 462-player draft pool underscores the league’s goal of attracting international talent, the PCB’s persistent reluctance to issue NOCs could significantly limit Pakistan’s final representation compared with the 29 names initially submitted.

Complete List of Pakistan Players Registered for the APL Draft

1. Saim Ayub

2. Mohammad Rizwan

3. Fakhar Zaman

4. Shan Masood

5. Imam-ul-Haq

6. Abdullah Shafique

7. Naseem Shah

8. Hasan Ali

9. Faheem Ashraf

10. Imad Wasim

11. Mohammad Wasim Jr

12. Mohammad Haris

13. Hasan Nawaz

14. Arafat Minhas

15. Azam Khan

16. Tayyab Tahir

17. Iftikhar Ahmed

18. Haider Ali

19. Saad Baig

20. Jahandad Khan

21. Khurram Shehzad

22. Kamran Ghulam

23. Sharjeel Khan

24. Abdul Samad

25. Irfan Khan Niazi

26. Usman Qadir

27. Rumman Raees

28. Sameer Minhas

29. Gazi Ghori

APL Structure and Prize Framework

The Afghanistan Premier League will feature five teams, with each side permitted six to seven overseas slots. Franchise purses range from USD 650,000 to USD 750,000, establishing a clear spending ceiling for the auction. Platinum-category players carry a price tag of USD 100,000, representing the highest bracket in the draft.

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