Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to ban the use of the country’s name in all private leagues around the world to avoid ‘geopolitical’ tensions and save the reputation of the country.
The decision was taken by Pakistani Cricket officials during a directors’ board meeting on Thursday. As per reports, senior officials in PCB were frustrated after Indian players refused to play against Pakistan twice at the World Championship of Legends’ (WCL) second edition.
Pakistani team “Pakistan Champions” included Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik and Misbah ul-Haq, and others. However, Indian Cricket stars like Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan representing the team India Champions refused to play against them in the WCL semi-final.
Earlier, Indian players refused to play in a league match as well boycotting the Pakistani team for the Pahalgam terror attack, where 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen lost their lives. The Pahalgam terror attack was perpetrated by the Resistance Front (TRF), a terror outfit linked to the Pakistan based Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Why Pakistan banned the use of the country’s name in private leagues
Pakistani Officials were quick to respond to the humiliation they faced at the international level in WCL. And they banned the use of ‘Pakistan’ name in the private cricket leagues around the world before the the WCL final. As per reports, sources stated “The decision was taken after a detailed discussion in the Board of Directors meeting on Thursday,” adding, “The high-level authorities felt Indian players refusing to play Pakistan in the WCL’s second edition twice is hurtful to the name of the country.”
Pakistan government and the Pakistani Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Ministry for sports together ‘have advised the PCB to take stringent action to prevent such occurrences in the future.’
Pakistan Champions, however, proceeded to the final of WCL after the India Champions boycott where they faced a massive defeat. South African team chased down the target of 196 batting second in just 16.5 overs. That too, losing just one wicket.
Telecom Asia reported that “The IPC is understood to have formally communicated its concerns to the cricket board, stressing the need to protect national dignity in international sporting events, especially those involving private or unsanctioned entities.”
Some private organizations in the world have been using the name ‘Pakistan’ in minor and low-profile leagues like those in Zimbabwe, Kenya and USA. Sources close to PCB have said, “All private organizations will encounter legal repercussions if they utilize Pakistan’s name. The PCB holds exclusive rights to permit its use for cricket events, provided it verifies the legitimacy of the League and the organization as credible.”
How are social media users on X reacting to PCB ban ?
One X user reacted to the PCB ban of the name ‘Pakistan’. He said, “The word Pakistan is now hurting Pakistanis. PCB banned used of Pakistan name in private leagues after India refused to play them. Now when other teams name their teams using their own country names what will team from Pakistan be named? This is a self goal”
The word Pakistan is now hurting Pakistanis. PCB banned used of Pakistan name in private leagues after India refused to play them.
— Prakaash (@Prakaash_KS) August 2, 2025
Now when other teams name their teams using their own country names what will team from Pakistan be named?
This is a self goal 😂😂😂#WCL2025 pic.twitter.com/IUYzydwKHj
PCB bars from using "Pakistan" in private leagues. An apt name for the Green Flag country is "Afridi ke Aatanki"https://t.co/uHiiRHmfOR
— Sunil (Dhoni ka परिवार) (@annachaukanna) August 3, 2025
Another user said, ‘PCB bars from using “Pakistan” in private leagues. An apt name for the Green Flag country is “Afridi ke Aatanki”‘.
@TheRealPBMedia The PCB has suddenly realized that no one should be allowed to use the Pakistan name in any event unless permitted by it. This is with ref to the Legends event. Why such a late reaction always from PCB? Now because the Indian legends team twice refused to play us.
— WaheedKhankisaafseedhibaat (@WaheedKhancc) August 1, 2025
While another person said, “@TheRealPBMedia The PCB has suddenly realized that no one should be allowed to use the Pakistan name in any event unless permitted by it. This is with ref to the Legends event. Why such a late reaction always from PCB? Now because the Indian legends team twice refused to play us.”
