Pakistan Cricket Board Bans Use of National Name in Private Cricket Leagues After Indian Refusals

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has moved to restrict the use of the country’s name in private cricket leagues. This decision was made following the World Championship of Legends (WCL), where former Indian cricketers twice refused to play against the team named ‘Pakistan Champions.’ These refusals, particularly the one prompted by the Pahalgam terror attack, underscored concerns about national dignity in international sporting events, particularly those outside of official sanctioning. The IPC Ministry has communicated its concerns to the PCB, which subsequently decided to ban the use of ‘Pakistan’ in private leagues without prior authorization. This action reflects the PCB’s frustration with the incidents, which impacted the tournament’s dynamics, with Pakistan eventually securing a spot in the title match after India’s withdrawal from the semi-finals.