LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has granted No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to four players, allowing them to participate in overseas competitions during the 2026 season. The approvals enable the players to feature in England’s domestic T20 and county circuits while continuing their commitments in Pakistan.
Among those cleared, Sufiyan Muqeem, Mohammad Nawaz and Usama Mir have received permission to play in the Vitality T20 Blast 2026, which begins on May 22. The PCB’s decision outlines specific availability windows for each player, balancing international exposure with workload management.
Player availability for Vitality Blast
Sufiyan Muqeem will be available from May 22 to June 7, while Mohammad Nawaz and Usama Mir have been granted extended stays, allowing them to remain in the tournament until mid and late July respectively. The longer windows suggest a more sustained role for Nawaz and Mir across the competition.
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Usama Mir brings prior experience, having represented Worcestershire in the 2023 edition, where he claimed 19 wickets in 11 matches with an economy rate of 7.29. Nawaz and Sufiyan are set to make their first appearances in the tournament.
Mohammad Abbas cleared for county stint
Separately, fast bowler Mohammad Abbas has been issued multiple NOCs to represent Derbyshire in the County Championship and other fixtures. His participation is divided across April, May, June, and a longer spell from August to late September, reflecting a structured workload plan focused on red-ball cricket.
PSL players to join after domestic duties
Except for Abbas, the players are currently involved in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season. Sufiyan Muqeem is playing for Peshawar Zalmi, Mohammad Nawaz represents Multan Sultans, and Usama Mir is part of Lahore Qalandars.
The Vitality Blast 2026 is scheduled to run from May 22 to July 18, opening with a match between Essex and Sussex.
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