Pakistan Cricket Board Plans for T20 Tri-Series Amid Uncertainties
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is actively exploring alternative options due to concerns regarding Afghanistan’s participation in an upcoming T20 Tri-Series, which is set against the backdrop of rising military tensions between the two nations. Scheduled to take place from November 17 to 29, the series includes Sri Lanka as the third team.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reached out to the International Cricket Council (ICC) urging them to consider backup plans, emphasizing the desire to ensure that the Tri-Series proceeds as planned.
In the meantime, the PCB has extended an invitation to Sri Lanka to engage in three T20 matches from November 11 to 15, just ahead of the Tri-Series that will feature Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Additionally, discussions are underway between the boards of Pakistan and Sri Lanka for a potential three-match T20 series in Colombo, slated for early January. If this series is confirmed, it might create conflicts for the PCB with Cricket Australia, which has signed several Pakistani players for the Big Bash League, having previously assured them of NOCs for the entire tournament in December and January.
Players such as Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi are among those signed by Big Bash teams, with many slated to make their T20 league debuts.
Should the Sri Lankan series go ahead, it could force selectors to either proceed without these key players or revisit the terms of their NOCs, which would likely lead to disputes with Cricket Australia.
Recently, the PCB announced the suspension of NOCs issued to its players for participation in various leagues, prompting Cricket Australia to seek a resolution. Officials from CA highlighted their significant investments in promotional campaigns featuring Pakistani players in the Big Bash.
Furthermore, the Desert Vipers franchise in the Emirates International League has also secured contracts with three Pakistani players for the current season. The only major white-ball series for Pakistan prior to the ICC World T20 Cup will be Australia’s tour to Pakistan in January, where they will play three ODIs and three T20s.
Published by Amar Panicker | October 13, 2025
