A number of former Pakistan cricketers are set to face disciplinary action after participating in the Asian Legends League in Zambia without obtaining the required approval from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The board has announced that players found to have taken part in the unsanctioned tournament could face a two-year ban from receiving No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and from taking up any cricket-related roles with the PCB or the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
The controversy began after the Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU), the country’s official governing body, clarified last week that the Asian Legends League had not been sanctioned, approved or endorsed by the organisation. The statement raised concerns over the tournament’s legitimacy and prompted the PCB to launch its own review.
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In an official statement, the PCB said it had taken “serious notice” of the participation of former Pakistan players in the event, stressing that all current and former cricketers must obtain prior approval before featuring in overseas competitions requiring PCB clearance.
The board announced that any individual found to have played in the tournament without the necessary permissions would be barred from receiving PCB-issued NOCs for approved overseas leagues or events for two years. In addition, those players would also be ineligible for coaching, consultancy, mentoring or any other cricket-related assignments with the PCB and the PSL during the same period.
According to ESPNcricinfo, the PCB considers the violation to have already taken place. The tournament began on July 30 in Lusaka and features six teams, including the Pakistan Panthers, whose squad consists entirely of former Pakistan cricketers. The team has already played two matches in the competition.
However, not every player who travelled to Zambia ultimately participated. ESPNcricinfo reported that former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez, along with Sohail Tanvir and Umar Akmal, arrived in Lusaka after signing up for the league but decided against playing after learning that the necessary ICC approvals had not been secured. Several other former Pakistan internationals, however, are believed to have taken the field.
The Pakistan Panthers’ listed squad includes Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Sharjeel Khan, Imran Nazir, Saeed Ajmal, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Irfan, Zulfiqar Babar, Naved-ul-Hasan, Rahat Ali, Hasan Raza, Yasir Bhatt and Rana Naeem Anwar, among others.
The Asian Legends League also features teams representing India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and an Asian Stars side comprising players from multiple countries. So far, the PCB is the only national cricket board to publicly warn its players of disciplinary action over participation in the tournament.
Reiterating its position, the PCB said it remains committed to upholding ICC regulations and protecting the integrity and governance of the game, reminding both current and former players that prior approval is mandatory before joining overseas cricket events requiring PCB clearance.
