Pakistan Champions have withdrawn from the ongoing World Championship of Legends (WCL), with their participation reportedly derailed by a dispute over the conditions attached to the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC).
The development is understood to be linked to tensions arising from the previous edition of the tournament and the wider deterioration in relations between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. India had boycotted two matches against Pakistan in the previous WCL, including the semi-final, in protest.
According to NDTV, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was initially reluctant to allow its former players to participate in this year’s competition. The board later agreed to issue the required NOCs, but reportedly sought a written apology from the Indian team over the events surrounding the previous edition.
The WCL organisers rejected the demand. With the condition not accepted, Pakistan’s participation became uncertain and the team eventually withdrew from the tournament.
The organisers have described the circumstances in broader terms. In a statement, the WCL said Pakistan Champions had pulled out because of ‘unforeseen circumstances’. No detailed public explanation was provided regarding the reported demand for an apology.
The withdrawal means Pakistan Champions will not play in the current edition despite being scheduled to participate. Their opening fixture was supposed to be against Bangladesh Champions, with former Pakistan stars Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik among the players expected to represent the side.
Pakistan Champions later issued a statement confirming that the team would be unable to take part because the PCB had maintained its decision not to issue the required NOCs. The team said it respected the PCB’s authority and its decision, while expressing disappointment at losing the opportunity to represent Pakistan in a competition featuring former cricketing greats from around the world.
The dispute has once again highlighted the difficulty of keeping cricket between India and Pakistan separate from wider political and security tensions. Even though the WCL is a tournament for retired players rather than current international squads, the sensitivities surrounding the two countries have continued to influence their participation in cricketing events.
For the Pakistan Champions squad, the immediate consequence is the loss of an opportunity to return to competitive action on an international stage. Players such as Afridi and Malik remain among the most recognisable names from Pakistan’s recent cricketing history, making their absence notable for supporters following the tournament.
The situation also affects Bangladesh Champions, who were scheduled to face Pakistan in the opening phase. The anticipated meeting between former players from the two neighbouring cricket nations will therefore not take place as originally planned.
The World Championship of Legends began on 3 October and is scheduled to run until 18 October. The tournament brings together former international cricketers, offering them an opportunity to return to competitive cricket after retirement.
Pakistan Champions, however, will remain spectators this time. Despite being expected to take part, the team has been forced to withdraw before entering the field, with the NOC dispute ultimately bringing its campaign to an early end.