PCB Bans Use of ‘Pakistan’ Name in Private Cricket Leagues After WCL Controversy

In the wake of a recent controversy at the World Championship of Legends (WCL), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has imposed a ban on the use of the country’s name in private cricket leagues. The decision follows India's refusal to play against the "Pakistan Champions" team during the WCL's second edition in the UK.

According to a report by Telecom Asia Sport, the move was finalized during a PCB Board of Directors meeting held on Thursday. Officials expressed concern over the repeated rejections by India Champions, which they believe negatively impacted the image of Pakistan cricket on the global stage.

“The high-level authorities felt Indian players refusing to play Pakistan in the WCL's second edition twice is hurtful to the name of the country,” the report noted.

While the current "Pakistan Champions" squad will be allowed to participate in the final against South Africa Champions on Saturday, any future use of the name "Pakistan" in privately-organized leagues will require explicit approval from the PCB.

The board emphasized that unauthorized use of the country’s name could lead to legal action. Only leagues deemed reputable and credible by the PCB will be granted permission to represent Pakistan in any form.

This comes after various unofficial leagues in Zimbabwe, Kenya, and the USA have used the "Pakistan" name without regulation. The move to tighten controls was also backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Provincial Coordination Committee (IPC), which oversees sports governance in the country.

With this ruling, the PCB seeks to protect the integrity of the national identity in cricket and avoid future embarrassments on international platforms.