LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced its withdrawal from all future editions of the World Championship of Legends (WCL), citing political interference, biased decisions, and inconsistent tournament regulations.
The decision was taken during a Board of Governors meeting chaired by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. The board expressed deep reservations about the integrity of the recently concluded WCL, stating that the tournament was tainted by “double standards and politically driven conduct.”
One of the major concerns highlighted by the PCB was the awarding of points to a team that had deliberately forfeited a match—an action the board deemed “highly questionable” and contrary to the principles of fair competition.
The PCB also strongly criticized a press release issued by WCL officials following the cancellation of the Pakistan-India legends match, calling it “politically biased and prejudiced.” It said the language used in the statement undermined the spirit of the tournament and exposed clear partiality.
“The manner in which the tournament was conducted appeared to be influenced by unseen forces,” the PCB said, adding that the subsequent apology seemed rooted in narrow nationalism, making continued participation untenable.
Reiterating that sports must remain above political agendas, the PCB underscored its commitment to upholding the neutrality and integrity of cricket. It concluded that Pakistan would no longer engage in any tournament where political motives or discrimination compromise the sport’s core values.
The move comes amid increasing international concerns over the politicization of global sporting events.
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