LAHORE – The Pakistan Cricket Board has decided not to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to Pakistan Champions for the 2026 World Championship of Legends (WCL), leaving their participation in the tournament uncertain. The PCB has maintained the same position it took during last year’s dispute and has refused permission for the team to officially compete in the third edition of the competition.
The decision has created uncertainty around Pakistan Champions’ involvement in the tournament and could force organizers to make changes to the schedule. The team was scheduled to face Bangladesh Champions in Sharjah on October 3, but the match was postponed due to what organizers described as technical reasons. The PCB had reportedly communicated its decision to Pakistan Champions management around a week before the tournament began.
The dispute dates back to the 2025 edition of the WCL, when India Champions refused to play Pakistan Champions on two occasions. The first refusal came during the group stage, while India Champions later declined to face Pakistan Champions in the semi-final. The incidents took place amid heightened political tensions between India and Pakistan and subsequently became a point of contention for the PCB.
The PCB reportedly objected to the way tournament officials handled the situation, particularly over the allocation of points following India’s refusal to play. The board considered the matter to be political interference in a sporting event and later decided not to allow Pakistani players to participate in future editions of the competition. It also raised objections to the use of Pakistan’s name in the tournament, a position that has now affected Pakistan Champions’ participation in the 2026 event.
Several Pakistan Champions players have reportedly travelled to the United Arab Emirates, although some prominent names have stayed away from the tournament. Former Pakistan captains Shahid Afridi and Sarfaraz Ahmed are among the high-profile players not taking part. Meanwhile, team owner Kamal Khan is reportedly hoping that the PCB will reconsider its decision, but there is currently no indication that the board plans to issue the NOC.
One of the main points of interest is the scheduled India Champions versus Pakistan Champions fixture, which is set to take place in Dubai on October 10. The potential clash has generated considerable interest among cricket fans, as matches involving the two teams remain a major attraction even in a legends competition.
The third edition of the World Championship of Legends is being held in the United Arab Emirates from October 3 to October 18, with matches scheduled in Sharjah and Dubai. The tournament brings together retired international cricketers who represent their respective Champions teams.
Seven teams are participating in this season’s competition, with Bangladesh making its debut. The tournament follows a round-robin format in the league stage, after which the top four teams will advance to the semi-finals. The competition was founded by Harshit Tomar, while Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn is also listed as a co-founder.
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The WCL aims to bring former international stars back onto the cricket field and recreate some of the rivalries that attracted attention during their playing careers. South Africa Champions won the previous edition after defeating Pakistan Champions in the final, leaving the Pakistani side as runners-up.
