PCB have announced WCL blanket ban after India forfeited two games, including the semi-final, against Pakistan
PCB issues ‘blanket ban’ on future participation in WCL.
Citing “biassed” behaviour by the event organisers, the PCB has announced a “blanket ban” from future World Championship of Legends (WCL) participation. Due to tense political ties between the two nations, the Indian Champions forfeited two matches, including the semi-final, against the Pakistani Champions.
The board further attacked WCL for awarding points to a forfeiting team, claiming that it was “tainted with hypocrisy and bias” because the teams shared points after India declined to face Pakistan in the group match. The board also criticised what it called a selective application of the “peace through sport” theme, charging the organisers with permitting economic interests and political concerns to sabotage the competition.
“The cancellation was not based on cricketing merit but on appeasing a specific nationalistic narrative,” the PCB said in a statement. “This sends an unacceptable message to the international sporting community.
“However, we cannot allow our players to be part of events where the spirit of the game is overshadowed by skewed politics that undermines the very essence of sportsmanship and the gentleman’s game.”
The WCL had issued an apology for “hurting sentiments” following India’s withdrawal.
“The WCL’s apology for ‘hurting the sentiments’, whilst being farcical, inadvertently acknowledges that the cancellation was not based on cricketing merit, but rather on succumbing to a specific nationalistic narrative,” the statement further said. “This bias, masquerading as sensitivity, sends an unacceptable message to the international sporting community.”