PCB imposes blanket ban on participation in WCL

ISLAMABAD: In a bold move, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has enforced a sweeping ban on the participation of national ‘legends’ in the World Championship League (WCL) following revelations that the controversies surrounding the event were not accidental but a result of a meticulously orchestrated campaign with political undertones.

Multiple sources, including senior insiders within the PCB, confirmed to The News that a high-level internal inquiry into the incidents during the round-robin stage of the WCL exposed deliberate maneuvering aimed at exploiting the tournament for political leverage. In response, the PCB has drawn a hard line, firmly deciding not to allow any former cricketers to participate in similar leagues moving forward.

“What happened during the WCL matches was far from spontaneous, it was a calculated act designed to tarnish Pakistan’s recent diplomatic gains in cricket,” a source closely involved in the probe revealed. “The board had no option but to act decisively and set a precedent.”

While the board stood its ground, some influential figures from within the Pakistan Legends contingent reportedly made personal appeals to PCB officials and top government authorities, requesting permission to fulfill their remaining commitments through 2025. As a one-time exception, the request was granted, but the board made it clear that such leniency would not be repeated.

Sources suggest the controversy may have had roots in recent geopolitical tensions within the cricketing sphere. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), reportedly reeling from its setback during the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting in Bangladesh, allegedly played a role in politicizing the WCL. At that pivotal ACC gathering, Pakistan and Bangladesh successfully championed two major proposals: keeping the meeting in Dhaka despite Indian objections and ensuring the Asia Cup 2025 would be staged at a neutral venue, moves that garnered support from nearly 80% of the member nations, much to BCCI’s dismay.

“What unfolded at the WCL was not in isolation. It was a retaliatory strategy, an attempt to deflect attention from BCCI’s diplomatic defeat and disrupt a league originally created for entertainment and nostalgia,” a well-placed source added.

In the wake of these developments, the PCB has issued a decisive policy shift: going forward, no former cricketer will be allowed to represent Pakistan or use the country’s name in any capacity at international events without prior written approval from the Board. “No NOC (No Objection Certificate) will be issued for participation in any unsanctioned league,” the resolution passed at the recent Board meeting reads.

The move is being seen as an effort to preserve Pakistan’s cricketing dignity and shield the national image from being manipulated in off-field power struggles. With this clampdown, the PCB has drawn a firm boundary, one that could redefine how former stars engage with the game in their post-retirement years.