Pakistan Champions have withdrawn from the ongoing World Championship of Legends (WCL) after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refused to issue the necessary No Objection Certificates (NOCs), according to reports.
The withdrawal is understood to be linked to a dispute over an incident involving India and Pakistan during the previous edition of the tournament. Reports suggest that the PCB had sought a written apology from the Indian team before allowing Pakistani players to participate in this year’s competition. The WCL organisers, however, rejected the demand.
The dispute has its roots in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, which further strained already sensitive relations between India and Pakistan. During the previous WCL edition, India boycotted two matches against Pakistan, including the semi-final, in protest following the attack and the wider tensions between the two countries.
According to NDTV, the PCB was initially reluctant to grant its players permission to take part in the current edition of the tournament. The board later agreed to issue the required NOCs, but reportedly made its approval conditional on the Indian team submitting a written apology over the events surrounding the previous edition.
The WCL authorities did not accept that condition. With the demand rejected, the disagreement ultimately led to Pakistan Champions pulling out of the competition.
The organisers have described the withdrawal in less specific terms. In a statement, the WCL said Pakistan Champions had withdrawn because of ‘unforeseen circumstances’. The statement did not publicly refer to the reported demand for an apology or provide further details about the disagreement with the PCB.
For Pakistan Champions, the decision means the team will not play a single match in the current tournament despite being scheduled to participate. Their opening fixture was due to be against Bangladesh Champions, with former Pakistan stars Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik among the prominent names expected to represent the side.
Pakistan Champions also issued a statement expressing disappointment over the situation. The team said that the PCB had maintained its decision not to issue the required NOCs, meaning the squad could not take part in the ongoing WCL. It added that the team respected the PCB’s authority and its decision.
At the same time, the players were said to be disappointed at losing the opportunity to represent Pakistan in a tournament featuring former cricketing stars from around the world.
The development adds another layer to the complicated sporting relationship between India and Pakistan. Cricket between the two countries has often been affected by wider political and security tensions, and the latest dispute shows that such sensitivities can extend beyond the traditional international game.
The WCL is designed to bring former international cricketers back into competitive action, attracting players who built their reputations during earlier eras of the sport. Pakistan’s withdrawal therefore represents a significant change to the tournament, particularly given the prominence of players such as Afridi and Malik in the squad.
The current edition began on 3 October and is scheduled to run until 18 October. Pakistan Champions, however, will now remain on the sidelines after the NOC dispute prevented the former stars from taking the field.
