PCB Bans Participation in WCL Over ‘Skewed Politics, Hypocrisy’

News Desk 

Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a complete ban on any future participation in the World Championship of Legends (WCL), citing “skewed politics, bias, and hypocrisy” that it says overshadowed the spirit of the game.

In a strongly worded press release issued following a Board of Governors (BoG) meeting chaired by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, the board expressed deep disappointment with the conduct of the WCL, particularly in relation to the controversial cancellation of the much-anticipated match between Pakistan and India.

“We cannot allow our players to be part of events where the spirit of the game is overshadowed by skewed politics that undermine the very essence of sportsmanship and the gentleman’s game,” the PCB stated.

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The board criticized the tournament organizers for awarding points to a team that had willfully forfeited, calling it an “appalling decision” and indicative of the tournament’s “tainted” handling of affairs.

The cancellation of the Pakistan-India fixture was reportedly made to avoid discomfort and hurt sentiments among Indian players — a justification the PCB dismissed as biased and politically motivated.

“The contents of the said press releases highlight a duality where the narrative of ‘peace through sport’ is selectively applied,” the board said. “Sporting events are being held hostage to political expediency and narrow commercial interests.”

Emphasizing its longstanding principle of separating sports from politics, the PCB underscored that international cricket should remain a symbol of goodwill, fair competition, and mutual respect.

The board said it was especially dismayed that a tournament featuring legendary players had allowed political sentiments to dictate decisions.

“For a tournament involving legendary players to be dictated by sentiments that undermine this fundamental principle is not only regrettable but also deeply concerning for the future of independent sporting events,” the statement read.

The PCB also slammed WCL’s public apology for “hurting sentiments” as “farcical,” stating that it essentially admitted the decision was politically driven rather than cricketing.

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

“In light of this unfortunate development, which underscores a clear and intolerable pattern of external influence and a disregard for the principles of sporting neutrality, the Pakistan Cricket Board is compelled to take a firm stance,” the statement concluded.

The inaugural edition of the WCL ended on Friday, with South Africa crowned champions after a dominant nine-wicket victory over Pakistan in the final. AB de Villiers starred with an unbeaten century, helping South Africa lift the WCL 2025 trophy, while Pakistan finished as runners-up.