LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has imposed a blanket ban on future participation in the World Championship of Legends (WCL), condemning the tournament’s handling of recent events as “biased” and compromised by political interference.

The move comes after India Champions twice refused to take the field against Pakistan Champions — once during the group stage and then again in the semi-final — citing ongoing political tensions between the two countries. In one of those instances, both sides were awarded a point each, effectively penalising Pakistan despite their willingness to play.

In a strongly worded statement issued following its Board of Governors meeting, held virtually under the chairmanship of Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday, the PCB slammed the World Championship of Legends organisers for what it called a “selective use” of the “peace through sport” narrative, accusing them of bowing to commercial and political pressure.

“The cancellation was not based on cricketing merit but on appeasing a specific nationalistic narrative,” the PCB said. “This sends an unacceptable message to the international sporting community.”

The board added that it could not, in good conscience, allow its players to continue participating in tournaments where “the spirit of the game is overshadowed by skewed politics that undermines the very essence of sportsmanship and the gentleman’s game”.

The WCL, for its part, had issued an apology for “hurting sentiments” after India’s withdrawal. But the PCB dismissed the gesture as “farcical,” arguing it implicitly confirmed that the decision to cancel matches was not based on cricketing grounds.

“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 said. “This bias, masquerading as sensitivity, sends an unacceptable message to the international sporting community.”

While reaffirming its commitment to the global growth of cricket and “healthy rivalries,” the PCB made it clear that it would not support tournaments where off-field politics are allowed to interfere with on-field competition.

The WCL had been marketed as a celebration of cricket legends, offering a platform for retired international players to relive classic rivalries.

However, the political undertones surrounding India’s refusal to play cast a long shadow over the event.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2025