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Reports: Ben Stokes' PSL and MLC plans face ECB NOC refusal

Ben Stokes is reportedly unlikely to secure clearance from the England and Wales Cricket Board to participate in the upcoming Pakistan Super League and Major League Cricket tournaments. The governing body updated its regulations in late 2024, enabling officials to deny permission to players without central contracts if overseas schedules conflict with domestic fixtures, which applies directly to the MLC timeframe in June and July 2027.

Meanwhile, Durham is investigating whether short-term agreements lasting at least 21 days might create availability windows for the all-rounder without requiring a full summer commitment, though the ultimate authority remains with the board. Outside of these potential domestic conflicts, the player has already secured a Big Bash League deal with the Adelaide Strikers since that window avoids overlapping with the English calendar, while his Indian Premier League involvement is delayed until 2028 because he missed the registration window for the 2025 mega-auction.

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