The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided that no private cricket league or team can use the name “Pakistan” without official permission. This step was taken after a recent controversy during the World Championships of Legends (WCL) in the UK where Indian players refused to play against a team named ‘Pakistan Champions’. The situation was viewed as damaging to the image of the country, particularly since the event was being portrayed as a high-profile contest between India and Pakistan.
The matter was thoroughly discussed in a PCB Board of Directors meeting, and senior officials concluded that such incidents harm the country’s reputation. As a result, the board agreed that the name of Pakistan should not be associated with any private cricket leagues unless approved directly by the PCB.
Although the current team named Pakistan Legends will be allowed to compete in the final match against South Africa on Saturday, the new rule will apply strictly moving forward. The PCB clarified that many small-scale leagues in countries like Zimbabwe, Kenya and the United States have used the country’s name without any formal endorsement.
According to those close to the board, any private organisation found using Pakistan’s name without permission will now face legal consequences. Only the PCB holds the authority to approve such use after verifying the league’s legitimacy and credibility of the organisers.
The government and the Inter-Provincial Coordination Committee, which oversees national sports affairs, have also advised the PCB to closely monitor and control the use of the country’s name in future private cricket events.
