PCB accuses WCL of 'appeasing specific nationalistic narrative', puts 'blanket ban' on Pakistan's participation

PCB accuses WCL of 'appeasing specific nationalistic narrative', puts 'blanket ban' on Pakistan's participation

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken note of the controversy involving India Champions and Pakistan Champions at the World Championships of Legends (WCL). The cricket body has decided to put a 'blanket ban' from future participation in the tournament. An official statement was released after PCB's 79th board of governors meeting, held virtually under the chairmanship of Mohsin Naqvi.

PCB in its statement called out the tournament organisers for "appeasing a specific nationalistic narrative", a direct reference to India amid the tainted relations between the two neighbours, which has further deteriorated after the April 2025 Pahalgam attack.

PCB strongly objected the withdrawal of India Champions from their match against Pakistan Champions twice in the tournament. India Champions featuring past icons Shikhar Dhawan, Yuvraj Singh, Pathan Brothers, among others refused to play against Pakistan Champions, which was after public outcry.

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"The cancellation was not based on cricketing merit but on appeasing a specific nationalistic narrative," the PCB said in a statement. "This sends an unacceptable message to the international sporting community. However, we cannot allow our players to be part of events where the spirit of the game is overshadowed by skewed politics that undermines the very essence of sportsmanship and the gentleman's game," the statement read.

The WCL had also issued a statement apologising for "hurting sentiments", which was after India's withdrawal in the league stage. The two nations were once again locked for the semifinal, after Pakistan Champions finished on top of the table and India Champions on fourth after the league stage. The knockout tie too met with similar fate.

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"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," the statement further said. "This bias, masquerading as sensitivity, sends an unacceptable message to the international sporting community."