3 weeks ago
Pakistan cricketers face two-year ban over unsanctioned Zambia league
Some famous cricket players from Pakistan travelled to a country called Zambia to play in a big Twenty20 cricket league.
The league was supposed to start on August 2.
But the official Zambia cricket group said it did not approve the league at all.
The players were told by agents that everything was okay and that they would earn a lot of money.
Instead, they did not get paid, and some had trouble at hotels and the airport.
When the Pakistan Cricket Board found out, it banned the players for two years because they did not have official permission to play.
The players say they were tricked and that cricket is how they earn their living.
They are asking the head of the cricket board to change the punishment.
Meanwhile, the worldwide cricket group is worried about too many new leagues and created a new committee to watch over them.
Former Pakistan cricketers, including Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal and Sohail Tanvir, returned from Zambia after featuring in the unsanctioned Asian Legends League T20 tournament in Lusaka.
The Zambia Cricket Union clarified it gave the league no sanction, approval or endorsement; Ambati Rayudu of India withdrew without playing, and the tournament, set to begin on August 2, was halted after the ZCU's intervention.
The Pakistan Cricket Board announced a two-year ban, saying the players had not obtained the required No Objection Certificates (NOCs).
Imran Nazir, Taufeeq Umar, Yasir Shah, Hasan Raza, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Yasir Butt, Ibrar Hussain and Rana Anwar were among the other former Pakistan players who took part in some matches.
An anonymous player said the group was misled by agents and returned unpaid; Kamran Akmal urged the PCB to reconsider, noting players from India, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan were not banned, and players plan to seek leniency from chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
- Who
- Former Pakistan cricketers, including Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal and Sohail Tanvir, alongside the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that imposed the ban.
- What
- Participation in the unsanctioned Asian Legends League T20 tournament in Lusaka, leading to a reported two-year PCB ban.
- Where
- Lusaka, Zambia.
- When
- The tournament was scheduled to begin on August 2; reports are dated August 8, 2026.
- Why
- Players competed without the required No Objection Certificates (NOCs) after being told the league was approved, but the ZCU said it was never sanctioned and promised payments went unpaid.
PCB's disciplinary stance
Players' plea for leniency
Two-year ban over missing NOCs
PCB's disciplinary stance
The PCB says the two-year ban is justified because the players took part in an unsanctioned league without obtaining the required No Objection Certificates from the board.
Players' plea for leniency
Players say they were misled by agents who told them the league was approved by the ZCU, went to Zambia to earn money, and now face a severe punishment that threatens their livelihoods.
Unequal bans across countries
PCB's disciplinary stance
The PCB applies its own NOC rules to Pakistan players, and the board did not announce bans for players from other countries.
Players' plea for leniency
Kamran Akmal argues players from India, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan also took part and were not banned, so the PCB should review the penalty because the players' livelihoods depend on cricket.
Key facts
- Event
- Unsanctioned Asian Legends League (Lusaka T20 League)
- Scheduled start
- August 2
- Location
- Lusaka, Zambia
- PCB action
- Two-year ban for playing without No Objection Certificates (NOCs)
- Featured players
- Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal, Sohail Tanvir
- Other participants
- Imran Nazir, Taufeeq Umar, Yasir Shah, Hasan Raza, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Yasir Butt, Ibrar Hussain, Rana Anwar
- Tournament status
- Halted after Zambia Cricket Union intervention; no broadcast deal finalised
- ICC response
- Franchise Leagues Committee established, chaired by Tamim Iqbal
Quotes
Unnamed former Pakistani cricketer (anonymous for Telecom Asia Network)
An anonymous former Pakistani player who participated in the unsanctioned league
“"I had been surprised by the agents who had told me the League was approved by ZCU and that I would receive a good amount of money, but I did suffer embarrassment since the hotel would not let me settle into a room because of the non‑payment and then had further difficulties at the airport."”
thehansindia.com
“"The situation is a blow for all the players since they had gone there in order to earn some good money which they haven't obtained, but what they have received instead is a severe punishment from the Pakistan Cricket Board."”
freepressjournal.in
thehansindia.com
Sources
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