PCB takes action against former cricketers in Legends League controversy

Zahid Mehmood August 5, 2026 Pakistan
PCB takes action against former cricketers in Legends League controversy

Several former Pakistan cricketers are facing disciplinary action from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after participating in an unauthorised cricket tournament in Zambia.

More than a dozen retired players featured in the Asian Legends League without obtaining the required approvals. The tournament came under scrutiny after the Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU), the country’s official cricket governing body, issued a statement saying the event was neither sanctioned, approved, nor endorsed by the board.

The PCB subsequently launched disciplinary proceedings against the players for taking part in the unsanctioned competition.

According to media reports, the PCB has imposed a two-year restriction on former Pakistan cricketers, including Imran Nazir, Yasir Shah and Mohammad Irfan, for participating in the Asian Legends League in Zambia without obtaining the mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC). As part of the disciplinary action, the trio will be barred from serving as coaches, mentors or consultants with any Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise during the two-year suspension period.

The board also ruled that they will remain ineligible for any coaching, mentoring, consultancy or other cricket-related roles with the Pakistan Cricket Board or any HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise during the two-year suspension.

The PCB added that the International Cricket Council (ICC) requires all foreign players to secure an NOC from their respective home boards before participating in overseas cricket events.

The board further stated that ICC regulations oblige member boards to take disciplinary action against players who compete in unsanctioned tournaments, warning that failure to enforce these rules could result in action against the member board itself.

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