Pakistan Champions have withdrawn from the ongoing World Championship of Legends (WCL) after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refused to issue the necessary no-objection certificate (NOC). The decision means the team, made up of former Pakistan internationals, will not take part in this year’s tournament despite efforts to resolve the dispute.
In a statement, Pakistan Champions saiad they were disappointed to confirm that they would be unable to participate in the competition. The PCB has maintained its position on the NOC, leaving the team with no option but to withdraw.
Kamil Khan, the owner of Pakistan Champions, formally asked the PCB to reconsider its decision and was involved in discussions over the team’s participation. Those efforts, however, failed to produce a breakthrough. The franchise said it respected the PCB’s authority and decision, while expressing disappointment that its players would miss the opportunity to represent Pakistan Champions at an international gathering of cricketing legends.
The dispute dates back to last year’s edition of the WCL, when the PCB objected strongly to several developments involving India’s participation. India withdrew from two matches, including their semi-final, which resulted in Pakistan being awarded a walkover. In another group-stage fixture, India were awarded a point despite not playing the match.
The differing treatment angered the PCB, which accused the tournament organisers of hypocrisy and bias. The board also argued that political considerations were being allowed to influence cricket. At the time, the PCB made clear that it would no longer accept Pakistan’s participation in the competition and indicated that a complete ban on future involvement was being imposed.
That stance has carried into this year’s tournament. The organisers nevertheless attempted to find a way for Pakistan Champions to participate. The team had finished runners-up behind South Africa in the previous edition, making its absence a significant development for the competition.
The 2026 tournament began on 3 October, with India facing Australia in the opening match. Pakistan’s fixture against Bangladesh was postponed as organisers continued efforts to reach an understanding with the PCB. They were also prepared to revise Pakistan’s schedule and wait while the NOC issue was being addressed.
That window for negotiations eventually closed. Australia were due to face Pakistan on Monday, but with no agreement reached and the PCB refusing to change its position, it became clear that Pakistan Champions would not be able to take part.
The proposed squad included several prominent former Pakistan players. Shahid Afridi was expected to lead the side, while Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Wahab Riaz were also among the experienced names involved.
Their absence therefore goes beyond a single postponed fixture. It removes an entire team of well-known former internationals from a tournament built around retired and former cricket stars, while also leaving organisers to adjust the competition schedule.
Pakistan Champions ended its statement by thanking its players, supporters and fans for their patience, understanding and continued backing. For the team, a campaign that was expected to bring former Pakistan stars back onto the international stage has instead ended before they could take the field, with the unresolved dispute between the PCB and the WCL at the centre of the withdrawal.
