Archive · 5 Aug 2026
PCB Threatens Two-Year Bans for Unsanctioned Asian Legends League
The Pakistan Cricket Board is the group that manages cricket in Pakistan.
Some former Pakistani cricket players traveled to Zambia to play in a tournament called the Asian Legends League.
This tournament was not approved by the official cricket groups, and the International Cricket Council called it unsanctioned.
The Pakistan Cricket Board was not happy and said the players joined without getting permission.
Now these players could be banned from approved cricket leagues for up to two years.
They also cannot get a special permission paper called a No Objection Certificate from the board.
They cannot work with the Pakistan Cricket Board or its league, the PSL, for two years.
The tournament started on July 30 and has six teams made up of retired players from nine countries, with the Pakistan team called the Pakistan Panthers.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has warned former Pakistani players against participating in unsanctioned overseas tournaments and announced disciplinary measures.
Former Pakistan players who featured in the Asian Legends League in Zambia face bans of up to two years from approved overseas cricket leagues or events.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has designated the event unsanctioned, and the Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU) says it was 'not sanctioned, approved or endorsed' by the official body.
Penalties include a two-year suspension of PCB No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and two-year ineligibility for PCB and Pakistan Super League (PSL) assignments.
The tournament started on July 30 with six teams of retired players from nine nationalities, including the all-Pakistani Pakistan Panthers; some players pulled out after learning it was unsanctioned.
- Who
- The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and former Pakistan cricket players who took part in the Asian Legends League.
- What
- The PCB announced disciplinary measures, including bans of up to two years, for players who participated in the unsanctioned Asian Legends League in Zambia without required approvals.
- When
- Announced while the Asian Legends League, which started on July 30, was ongoing.
- Where
- Lusaka, Zambia, where the Asian Legends League is being held; the PCB is based in Pakistan.
- Why
- Players participated in an event that the ICC and the Zambia Cricket Union regard as unsanctioned, without obtaining the requisite approvals from the PCB.
- Governing body
- Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
- Event
- Asian Legends League (20th edition), an unsanctioned cricket tournament
- Location
- Lusaka, Zambia
- Ban duration
- Up to two years from approved overseas cricket leagues or events
- NOC suspension
- Two years from issuance of any PCB No Objection Certificate
- PCB/PSL ineligibility
- Two years from cricketing, coaching, consultancy, mentoring and other assignments
- Teams
- Six teams from nine nationalities: Pakistan Panthers, Indian Royals, Sri Lankan Lions, Bangladesh Tigers, Afghanistan Pathans, Asian Stars
- Tournament start
- July 30
