Pakistan Champions Quit WCL 2026 After PCB Refuses NOCs

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-06

### Pakistan Champions Pull Out of WCL 2026 Pakistan Champions have officially withdrawn from the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2026. The decision came after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refused to issue No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to the players. The tournament started on October 3, and Pakistan's opening match against Bangladesh was postponed while organizers tried to find a solution. ### Franchise Confirms Exit The franchise released a statement confirming they can't take part because the PCB held firm on its refusal. Owner Kamil Khan had asked the board to reconsider and stayed in talks, but no agreement was reached. The statement said the franchise respects the PCB's authority but is disappointed that players won't get to represent Pakistan Champions. They also thanked fans for their patience and support. Shahid Afridi was set to captain the side, with Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfraz Ahmed, and Wahab Riaz also in the squad. Pakistan finished as runners-up to South Africa last year. ### PCB's Stance Remains Unchanged The PCB's position dates back to a statement last year, where it accused the WCL of "hypocrisy and bias" and announced a blanket ban on Pakistan's participation. The board argued the competition mixed politics with sport. Despite the WCL's efforts to secure NOCs, the deadlock continued through the opening days. Cricinfo reached out to the PCB for comment. ### Why the PCB Objected The dispute began when India withdrew from two matches against Pakistan in last year's edition, including the semi-final. Pakistan got a walkover in the semi-final. The PCB was particularly upset when India pulled out of a group-stage match, yet organizers still awarded India a point. The board called that ruling "an unacceptable message to the international sporting community." ### WCL Schedule Affected The tournament opened on October 3 with India vs. Australia. Pakistan's match against Bangladesh was put on hold, and organizers were willing to reschedule Pakistan's games while the NOC process continued. But that plan fell apart when Australia was due to face Pakistan on Monday. With no clearance, it became clear the issue couldn't be resolved in time, and Pakistan Champions confirmed their withdrawal. The WCL hasn't announced how it will adjust the fixture list or handle points from the postponed matches. > The PCB's refusal to grant NOCs has left a void in the tournament, and fans are left wondering what could have been. For more cricket news and updates, visit JeetWin Blog!