File Pic: Shahid Afridi and Yuvraj Singh during WCL Season 1.
Pakistan Champions have withdrawn from the ongoing World Championship of Legends (WCL) Season 3 after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refused to issue the required No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to their players, bringing an end to the uncertainty surrounding their participation.
The withdrawal comes amid a standoff over conditions reportedly put forward by the PCB in connection with last year’s controversial India-Pakistan fixtures.
The dispute goes back to the 2025 WCL, when India Champions declined to play their scheduled matches against Pakistan Champions amid heightened political tensions. The fallout has now also led to the cancellation of the scheduled India-Pakistan clash on October 10 in Season 3. WCL Season 3 continues with six teams.
The WCL confirmed that Pakistan Champions would not participate, saying: “Official Update: Pakistan Champions will not be participating in WCL Season 3 due to unforeseen circumstances.
“Pakistan Champions regret to confirm that the team will not be able to participate in the ongoing World Championship of Legends (WCL), following the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to uphold its refusal to issue the required NOC,” the team said in a statement on Monday. The PCB had agreed to issue the NOCs subject to certain conditions, according to reports. These included a written apology from Indian players over their decision to not play Pakistan last season and an assurance regarding handshakes between the two sides. The WCL reportedly accepted the commercial conditions put forward by the PCB but rejected the demands relating to the apology and handshake. The group-stage match was cancelled, while India again refused to take the field against Pakistan in the semifinal, allowing Pakistan to advance to the final. The game is still on. The legends continue.”