Pakistan withdraw from World Championship of Legends after PCB refuse NOCs
Shahid Afridi was set to lead Pakistan Champions • ICC/Getty Images
Pakistan Champions have withdrawn from the World Championship of Legends (WCL) after the PCB refused to issue No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to the side. It follows from a PCB statement last year accusing the competition of "hypocrisy and bias", and warning it would "no longer condone participation in the event", saying it had mixed politics with sport. It said it had issued a "blanket ban" on Pakistan's future participation in an event.
It is a view the PCB stuck to, even as the WCL tried to secure NOCs that would enable the Pakistan side, who finished runners-up to South Africa in last year's tournament, to participate. However, the deadlock persisted.
"Pakistan Champions regret to confirm that the team will not be able to participate in the ongoing World Championship of Legends (WCL), following the Pakistan Cricket Board's decision to uphold its refusal to issue the required NOC," the Pakistan Champions side said in a statement to Cricinfo.
"Pakistan Champions owner Kamil Khan had formally requested the PCB to reconsider its decision and remained engaged in discussions regarding the team's participation. We respect PCB's authority and its decision, while naturally being disappointed that our players will not have the opportunity to represent Pakistan Champions at this global gathering of cricketing legends. We sincerely thank our players, supporters and fans for their patience, understanding and continued support."
This year's tournament began on October 3, with a game between India and Australia, but Pakistan's game against Bangladesh was postponed as the organisers tried to work out an agreement with the PCB. Cricinfo learned that the WCL organisers were willing to reschedule Pakistan's games while the NOCs were being worked on. However, with Australia slated to play Pakistan on Monday, it became clear that resolution wasn't possible.
The Pakistan Champions squad was set to be led by Shahid Afridi and also had Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfraz Ahmed, Wahab Riaz, among others.
The PCB's ire was first provoked after India withdrew from two contests against Pakistan, including the semi-final last year. While Pakistan were awarded a walkover in that game, the PCB took particular offence at India being awarded a point when they withdrew in a group stage contest against Pakisatan, calling it "an unacceptable message to the international sporting community".
Cricinfo has reached out to the PCB for comment.
Danyal Rasool is Cricinfo's Pakistan correspondent. @Danny61000
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