Daijiworld Media Network - Karachi
Karachi, Aug 9: A group of former Pakistan cricketers have returned from Zambia after taking part in an unsanctioned Twenty20 league, with the players reportedly failing to receive full payment and now facing a two-year ban from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The players travelled to Lusaka to participate in the Asian Legends League, a tournament promoted last month that featured former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez, wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal and all-rounder Sohail Tanvir.
India's Ambati Rayudu was initially scheduled to participate but left Zambia without playing after learning that the tournament 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.
A source close to the players said Hafeez, Akmal, Tanvir and Zahid Mahmood sought information about the tournament after learning that it had not been sanctioned by the Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU).
The ZCU subsequently issued a statement making it clear that the tournament had received no sanction, approval or endorsement from the organisation. Following this, some players, including Rayudu, decided to leave without participating.
Several international players and support staff were reportedly left stranded in Lusaka while trying to resolve unpaid travel arrangements, prompting calls for a joint investigation involving multiple cricket boards.
Former Pakistan players including Imran Nazir, Taufeeq Umar, Yasir Shah, Hasan Raza, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Yasir Butt, Ibrar Hussain and Rana Anwar were among those who played in some matches.
The tournament was eventually halted following intervention by the ZCU. Organisers had also reportedly failed to finalise a broadcast deal.
After discovering that former Pakistan players had participated in the Asian Legends League, the PCB announced a two-year ban after finding that the cricketers had not obtained the required No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the board.
One of the players acknowledged that participating in the tournament had been a mistake and said the group had been misled by agents.
Speaking to Telecom Asia Network on condition of anonymity, the player said agents had told him that the league had been approved by the ZCU and that he would receive a substantial payment.
Instead, he claimed he faced embarrassment when a hotel refused to allow him to check into a room because of non-payment, followed by further difficulties at the airport.
The player said the cricketers had returned without receiving the financial rewards they had expected and were now facing a severe punishment.
"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," he said.
Sources said the affected players plan to approach PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and seek clemency, arguing that cricket remains their primary source of income and that a two-year ban could have serious financial consequences.
Akmal has also publicly backed his teammates and urged the PCB to reconsider the punishment.
In a social media post, Akmal pointed out that players from countries including India, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan had also participated in the tournament and had not been banned. He urged the PCB to review the penalty, saying the players' livelihoods depend on cricket.
The controversy comes amid growing concerns from the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the rapid expansion of T20 franchise leagues around the world.
The ICC established a special Franchise Leagues Committee at its annual conference to oversee the development of T20 franchise cricket and improve coordination with the international cricket calendar.
Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal has been appointed chairman of the committee.