After WCL Uproar, PCB Drops ‘Pakistan’ From Team Names In Private Cricket Leagues News24 –
Recently, a news popped up showcasing Yuvraj Singh and his team withdrew from a group-stage clash against the Pakistan Champions following the terror attack in Pahalgam. Both sides were awarded one point each, which was considered to be crucial, especially when it enabled the Indian cricketers to qualify for the semi-finals in the six-team competition, after a final league-stage victory over the West Indies.
According to a Telecom Asia Sport report, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has banned the use of Pakistan’s name in privately organised cricket leagues after former Indian cricketers refused to compete against the ‘Pakistan Champions’ team in two instances during the World Championship of Legends (WCL).
The reports also mentioned that “The IPC is understood to have formally communicated its concerns to the cricket board, stressing the need to protect national dignity in international sporting events, especially those involving private or unsanctioned entities.”
The report also included that “After being snubbed twice by India’s former cricketers in the World Championship of Legends (WCL), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has banned the use of the country’s name in all privately run cricket leagues.”
They further stated that ‘the Pakistan government and the Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Ministry, which oversees sports in the country, have advised the PCB to take stringent action to prevent such occurrences in the future.’
Once again in the semifinals, the two teams were scheduled against one another on the battlefield. Here, the Pakistan champions were composed of veteran players like Misbah ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, and Shahid Afridi. Moreover, India’s decision to step out from the semifinals made Pakistan secure a place in the title match. According to the report, the team can take part in Saturday’s final against South Africa, but in the future, use of the ‘Pakistan’ name in private leagues will require prior authorization.
According to The Indian Express reports, there are website sources that provide us with the fact that on Thursday, under the Board of Directors meeting, the PCB took a decision, showcasing the senior officials’ frustration after Indian champions twice declined to play against Pakistan during the WCL’s second edition.