England’s NOC rules could prevent Ben Stokes from joining the PSL or MLC while remaining tied to Durham.
Ben Stokes’ potential appearance in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) next season could be complicated by England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) regulations governing players’ participation in overseas franchise leagues.
According to a report by The Guardian, the former England Test captain has held talks with franchises in both the PSL and Major League Cricket (MLC) regarding opportunities next season. However, his participation could depend on whether the ECB grants him the necessary No-Objection Certificate (NOC).
Durham Registration Remains Key Factor
Stokes is expected to lose his central ECB contract at the end of September after announcing his retirement from international cricket in June. Despite the change in his international status, the ECB can still influence his availability for overseas leagues through its NOC system.
The all-rounder remains registered with Durham and is reportedly focused on helping the county compete in the County Championship after contributing to their promotion from Division Two.
Under the ECB’s current regulations, players registered with English counties can be denied permission to participate in overseas tournaments that overlap with the domestic season.
IPL Receives Special Treatment
The ECB introduced updated regulations in November 2024, allowing it to reject NOC applications when an overseas competition clashes with the county season or potentially affects the stability and consistency of domestic competitions.
The Indian Premier League (IPL), however, is treated differently under the policy and remains an exception.
The regulations were introduced largely to discourage younger English players from abandoning county cricket in favour of lucrative franchise opportunities overseas.
PSL and MLC Opportunities Under Discussion
Stokes is reportedly interested in exploring a role in the MLC, which is provisionally scheduled for June and July next year. The timing could create difficulties if his Durham commitments overlap with the American competition.
The PSL could also present a similar issue depending on its schedule and Stokes’ county obligations.
The ECB is reportedly reluctant to make an exception for Stokes because doing so could influence future NOC requests from other players.
Several English players, including Jason Roy and Alex Hales, have previously moved away from county contracts to focus on franchise cricket, while Moeen Ali retired from domestic cricket before briefly returning to Yorkshire for the T20 Blast.