The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed strong concern over double standards and biased conduct of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) and has imposed a complete ban on Pakistani players from participating in future editions of the event.

This decision was made during a special meeting of the PCB Board of Governors, chaired by Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

The board expressed deep disappointment and anger over the fact that the WCL organisers deliberately awarded points to a willfully forfeiting team, which the board called a blatant violation of the spirit and fundamental principles of the game.

The PCB particularly criticised the press release issued regarding the cancellation of the Pakistan-India Legends match, calling it biased and tainted with hypocrisy, which distorted the true spirit of the championship.

It is worth noting that India had refused to play the semi-final of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) against Pakistan.

This decision was taken by the Indian team following the strained bilateral relations and political uproar in India over the recent Asia Cup schedule.

Following India’s refusal, cricket fans not only criticised former Indian players but also trolled them on social media.

The PCB made it clear that it has always advocated for the separation of sports from politics, but the current tournament featured decisions taken under invisible political pressure, which are unacceptable in international sports.

“Our unwavering belief is that cricket, like other international sports, should solely serve as a platform for goodwill, healthy competition, and mutual respect,” the PCB said in a statement.

“For a tournament involving legendary players to be dictated by sentiments that undermine this fundamental principle is not only regrettable but also deeply concerning for the future of independent sporting events,” it added.

“The WCL’s apology for ‘hurting the sentiments’, whilst being farcical, inadvertently acknowledges that the cancellation was not based on cricketing merit, but rather on succumbing to a specific nationalistic narrative. This bias, masquerading as sensitivity, sends an unacceptable message to the international sporting community,” the PCB stated.

The PCB took the position that politically influenced and biased decisions undermine the integrity and neutrality of international sports and that participation of Pakistani players in such an environment is not only against their dignity but could also lead to future risks.

The PCB made it clear that it will continue to raise its voice to protect the sanctity and principles of the game.

The virtual BoG meeting was attended by Sumair Ahmed Syed, Salman Naseer, Zaheer Abbas, Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Sajjad Ali Khokhar, Zafarullah Jadgal, Tanveer Ahmed, Tariq Sarwar, Muhammad Ismail Qureshi, Anwaar Ahmad Khan, Adnan Malik, Usman Wahla (special invitee) and Mir Hassan Naqvi (Additional Secretary).

In the recently held Championship of Legends, the Indian team won only one match in the entire tournament and refused to play both of their matches against Pakistan.

The last Test series between Pakistan and India was held in 2008. Following the Mumbai attacks, India severed bilateral cricket ties.

Later, in 2012, Pakistan toured India for an ODI series led by Shahid Afridi, in which India suffered defeat in front of their home crowd.