Pakistan Cricket Board to Ban Over a Dozen Former Cricketers for Participating in Unrecognized League

Islamabad. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is preparing to ban more than a dozen former cricketers for participating in an unrecognized cricket league.

Those players had signed contracts for the Asian Legends League being organized in Zambia.

Last week, the Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU) issued a statement clarifying that the league was not recognized by it. ZCU stated, 'This league is not approved or recognized by ZCU.'

Taking this matter into consideration, the PCB has also issued a statement stating that it has taken the participation of its former players seriously. The PCB has clarified that it is compelled to take action because this league is unrecognized and its players participated without permission.

The PCB's statement reads, 'If any individual is found to have participated in an unrecognized competition without obtaining the necessary approval from the PCB, disciplinary action will be taken against them.'

As a punitive measure, the PCB has stated that players will be barred for two years from receiving the 'No Objection Certificate' (NOC) required to play in recognized leagues or competitions abroad. Furthermore, 'they will also be ineligible for two years to play, coach, consult, mentor, or take on any other responsibility under the PCB and PSL,' the statement mentions.

According to Cricinfo, the PCB considers the rules to have been violated. The competition, which started on July 30, has six teams. Among them, a team named 'Pakistan Panthers' is composed entirely of Pakistani players. That team has played two matches so far.

According to Cricinfo's report, Mohammad Hafeez, Sohail Tanvir, and Umar Akmal had reached Lusaka, Zambia, to play in the league. However, upon learning that the necessary approval from the International Cricket Council (ICC) had not been obtained, they decided not to play at the last moment. Nevertheless, it is believed that many other former Pakistani players have already played.

Other teams in this competition include Indian Royals, Sri Lanka Lions, Bangladesh Tigers, Afghanistan Pathans, and Asian Stars. Although players from nine different countries are included, only the PCB has termed the participation of its players as a violation of rules and warned of action.

The PCB further stated in its statement, 'The PCB is committed to fully adhering to ICC regulations and maintaining the integrity and good governance of the game.' The board reiterated that all current and former players wishing to participate in foreign cricket competitions requiring PCB approval must obtain the necessary approval and NOC before playing.

The player list for Pakistan Panthers on the league's official website includes Sharjeel Khan, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Imran Nazir, Saeed Ajmal, Sohail Tanvir, Yasir Shah, Naveed-ul-Hasan, Mohammad Irfan, Zulfiqar Babar, Rahat Ali, Hasan Raza, Yasir Bhatti, and Rana Naeem Anwar. As confirmed by Cricinfo, some players on the list have participated in matches played so far.

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