The Pakistan Champions have officially pulled out of the ongoing World Championship of Legends (WCL) after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refused to issue the necessary No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to its players. The decision brings an end to days of uncertainty surrounding the team’s participation in the global tournament featuring former international stars.
The root of the impasse lies in a bitter dispute from the previous edition of the tournament. Last year, the PCB issued a damning statement accusing the WCL organisers of hypocritical and biased conduct after political tensions spilled onto the field. Board officials strongly criticised the event management for mixing politics with sport and subsequently instituted a blanket ban on future participation.
The controversy flared up when India Champions declined to play their scheduled fixtures against Pakistan, including a crucial semi-final tie. While Pakistan were awarded a walkover for the semi-final, the PCB expressed deep frustration when Indian officials were granted a point following a group-stage withdrawal. The board denounced the decision as an unacceptable precedent for international sport, arguing that commercial interests were being prioritised over fairness.
Despite persistent efforts by WCL authorities and team management to broker a compromise, the PCB remained firm. Team owner Kamil Khan engaged in extensive talks with board officials and formally petitioned them to reconsider the stance, but the governing body refused to yield.
“Pakistan Champions regret to confirm that the team will not be able to participate in the ongoing World Championship of Legends, following the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to uphold its refusal to issue the required NOC,” the franchise announced in a public statement. “While we naturally feel disappointed that our players will not feature at this global gathering of legends, we respect the authority and decision of the PCB. We extend our sincere gratitude to our players, supporters, and fans for their patience, understanding, and unwavering support.”
The withdrawal deals a major blow to the tournament’s star power. The Pakistan Champions squad was set to be captained by former superstar Shahid Afridi, featuring a line-up of seasoned international veterans including Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Wahab Riaz. Having finished as runners-up in both previous editions—losing to India in the inaugural 2024 final and South Africa in 2025—the side was widely considered one of the title favourites.
The third edition of the tournament commenced on 3 October with an opening fixture between India and Australia. Tournament organisers initially postponed Pakistan’s scheduled fixtures against Bangladesh and Australia in the hope that an agreement over player NOCs could be reached. However, as scheduled fixtures passed without a resolution, the team’s total withdrawal became unavoidable, leaving the schedule to be adjusted without Pakistani representation.
