It cannot continue its participation in an event where impartial administration and the spirit of the game are being affected by external pressure.
Noor Fatima Afzal, Daily Dawn, Dawn TV Report
Lahore/London: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday announced a complete ban on its future participation in the World Championship of Legends (WCL), accusing it of bias in favour of India.
The WCL is a Twenty20 tournament held annually in England. It features former and non-contracted players from countries such as England, India, Pakistan, Australia, the West Indies, and South Africa.
The tournament, jointly owned by Bollywood actors Ajay Devgn and Harsh Tomar, faced controversy when India refused to play Pakistan in the league stage.
The WCL awarded points to both teams. India later refused to play Pakistan in the semi-finals, after which the Green Shirts were given access to the final.
Several Indian players had refused to play against Pakistan, which was given as the reason for the worst clashes between the two countries in decades in May.
The WCL said that it respects India’s decision and appreciates Pakistan’s spirit of playing.
The PCB said in a press release issued after the 79th meeting of the Board of Governors that “the Pakistan Cricket Board announces that it is imposing a complete ban on participation in the upcoming World Championship of Legends (WCL).”
The PCB expressed “deep disappointment” at the WCL’s policy under which points were awarded to a team despite deliberately leaving the match, and also criticized the text of the WCL’s press statements regarding the cancellation of the India-Pakistan match.
The PCB said the press release was full of “hypocrisy and bias”. “The content of these statements shows a double standard where the slogan ‘peace through sport’ is only selectively applied and sports are held hostage to political interests and commercial preferences.”
The PCB added that it has always adopted the principle of keeping sports and politics separate and believes that other global sports like cricket should only be used as a platform for goodwill, healthy competition and mutual respect.
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