Explained: Why English players might still not play PSL despite getting picked

On January 13 (Monday), as many as six English players were confirmed to be part of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025. However, there’s a strong chance that none of the six players would be allowed to play in the tournament because of a ‘new policy’ that prevents them from getting a No-Objection Certificate. 

Last November, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced a new policy on NOCs, which will deny all players' participation in any league, including the PSL, the CPL, and MLC, during the English summer. 

What does the rule say exactly?

"Under the new policy, players will not receive NOCs for overseas leagues during the English summer, such as the PSL, Caribbean Premier League (CPL), and Major League Cricket (MLC), except for the Indian Premier League (IPL). Players with white-ball county contracts may still obtain NOCs for leagues that don't overlap with the T20 Blast or the Hundred."

So, what does that mean to the players who already have a PSL contract?

That essentially could mean that Tom Kohler-Cadmore (Peshawar Zalmi), Sam Billings and Tom Curran (both Lahore Qalandars), James Vince (Karachi Kings), Chris Jordan and David Willey (both Multan Sultans) could be out of the competition.

However, there’s a catch that could still allow these players to play in PSL: either the players should all be on white-ball contracts or renegotiate their existing all-format deals after the draft. In that case, Billings, Curran, Jordan and Willey will all be granted NOCs for the PSL.