New Delhi, August 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A group of former Pakistan cricketers have returned home from Zambia after participating in an unsanctioned T20 league and now face two-year bans from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for playing without the required No Objection Certificates (NOCs).
The players had travelled to Lusaka for the Asian Legends League, which featured several former international cricketers. The tournament was promoted with names such as former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez, wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal and all-rounder Sohail Tanvir. Former India player Ambati Rayudu was also initially listed but withdrew before playing after learning that the competition had not been sanctioned.
The Lusaka T20 League, featuring teams including Asian Stars, Pakistan Panthers, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, was scheduled to begin on August 2.
According to a source close to the players, Hafeez, Akmal, Tanvir and Zahid Mahmood sought clarification after learning that the tournament did not have the approval of the Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU). The ZCU subsequently issued a statement making it clear that it had neither sanctioned nor endorsed the league.
Some players, including Rayudu, left without participating, while several international players and members of their support staff were reportedly left stranded in Lusaka amid difficulties over unpaid travel arrangements. The tournament was eventually halted following ZCU intervention, while organisers were also reportedly unable to finalise a broadcast deal.
Among the former Pakistan cricketers who participated in matches were Imran Nazir, Taufeeq Umar, Yasir Shah, Hasan Raza, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Yasir Butt, Ibrar Hussain and Rana Anwar.
The PCB subsequently announced two-year bans after finding that the players had participated without obtaining the mandatory NOCs.
One of the players admitted that taking part had been a mistake and alleged that agents had misled the cricketers about the tournament’s status. Speaking anonymously, the player said he had been told that the league was approved by the ZCU and that participants would receive substantial payments.
However, the players reportedly faced financial difficulties during the trip, including problems with hotel accommodation and travel arrangements, and returned without receiving the payments they had expected.
“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,” the player said.
The affected cricketers are reportedly planning to approach PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi collectively and seek leniency, arguing that cricket remains their primary source of income and that a two-year suspension could have serious financial consequences.
Akmal has also publicly backed his teammates and urged the PCB to reconsider the punishment. He pointed out that players from countries including India, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan had also participated in the tournament and called for a review of the action against the Pakistan players.
The controversy comes amid wider concerns within international cricket over the rapid expansion of T20 franchise leagues. The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently established a Franchise Leagues Committee to oversee the growth of franchise cricket and improve coordination between such competitions and the international calendar.
Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal has been appointed chairman of the committee.
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