Pakistani players were barred from World Championship of Legends as PCB withheld NOC
LAHORE – The Pakistan Cricket Board has decided not to issue NOCs to the Pakistan champions for the 2026 World Championship of Legends.
The PCB has maintained the same stand it took after last year’s controversy, refusing to allow the Pakistan champions to officially participate in WCL Season 3. The decision has thrown uncertainty around Pakistan’s campaign and could force tournament organizers to rethink parts of the schedule.
The Pakistan champions were scheduled to take on the Bangladesh champions in Sharjah on October 3, but the organizers postponed the game citing technical reasons, while the PCB’s NOC decision stood.
The board reportedly communicated its decision to the Pakistan Champions management about a week before the tournament began. The controversy dates back to WCL 2025, when champions India refused to play champions Pakistan in two matches, first during the group stage and later in the semi-finals. The denial came amid heightened political and geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan.
The handling of these matches became a major controversy. The PCB later took the position that the tournament organizers failed to handle the situation properly, including the way the points were handled after India refused to play.
The board viewed the incident as political interference in the sporting competition and decided that Pakistani players should not participate in future editions of the WCL under these circumstances. He also objected to the use of Pakistan’s name in the tournament.
The controversy has now moved from the boardroom to the dressing room. Several of Pakistan’s champions players have reportedly arrived in the UAE, while some high-profile figures including captain Shahid Afridi and Sarfraz Ahmed have stayed away from the tournament.
However, team owner Kamal Khan has expressed hope that the PCB will reconsider its decision and issue the NOC. There is currently no indication of a change in the board’s position.
The biggest question mark on WCL 2026 is the India Champions vs Pakistan Champions match scheduled in Dubai on October 10. The fixture was expected to be one of the key matches of the tournament, even at the Legends level given the immense interest in the Pakistan-India encounter.
The third season of the World Championship of Legends is being played in the UAE from October 3 to October 18 in Sharjah and Dubai. The T20 Legends competition brings together retired international stars under national “Champions” teams, bringing cricket’s greatest rivalries to life in an exhibition format.
Seven teams are participating in this season, with Bangladesh making their debut. The tournament follows a round-robin format, with the top four teams advancing to the semi-finals.
The league was founded by Harshit Tomar, co-founded by Ajay Devgn, and is based on the idea of bringing former international stars back to the field while recreating the rivalries that defined their playing careers. Last season, champions South Africa won the title by defeating champions Pakistan in the final, leaving Pakistan runners-up.
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The post PCB stops NOCs, Pakistani players banned from World Championship of Legends appeared first on Daily Pakistan News
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