The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially banned its players from taking part in future editions of the World Championship of Legends (WCL). The decision follows what the board described as “biased behavior and political manipulation” during the tournament, particularly regarding the cancellation of the highly anticipated Pakistan-India clash. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, along with the Board of Governors, made the announcement after a detailed review.
The board strongly criticized WCL for awarding points to a team that intentionally forfeited, calling the act unfair and against the spirit of sportsmanship. PCB stated that such actions reflect a clear bias and go against the values of fair play. The board also condemned WCL’s press releases, saying they showed double standards and lacked neutrality. It expressed disappointment in how the tournament prioritized political sentiment over cricketing merit.
Additionally, PCB questioned the narrative of “peace through sport,” saying it was applied selectively in this case. According to the board, using politics to cancel games between national rivals undermines sports as a platform for goodwill. PCB stressed that sports should unite nations, not serve narrow political or commercial goals. The board added that events like WCL should remain free from outside influence.
The board was especially critical of WCL’s apology, calling it insincere and a hidden confirmation that cricket was sidelined for political reasons. It said the apology highlighted how the match cancellation was not based on fair competition but on external pressure. Such decisions, the PCB warned, send a damaging message to the global sporting community about neutrality and transparency in international tournaments.
In light of these issues, the PCB stated it could not allow participation in tournaments where fairness and equality are compromised. The board affirmed its dedication to global cricket and honest competition but said that it would not tolerate any events where its players are subject to politically motivated decisions. It concluded that true sporting rivalries should be built on respect and equality, not nationalism and bias.
Despite the controversy, the WCL tournament concluded with South Africa winning the title. Pakistan finished as the runner-up after losing to South Africa in the final match, where AB de Villiers scored an unbeaten century to lead his team to a nine-wicket victory.
