PCB Imposes Blanket Ban on WCL Participation After India Boycott

The decision follows India’s withdrawal from scheduled fixtures against Pakistan in the ongoing WCL, including a semi-final clash, after the cancellation of a group-stage encounter sparked by public outrage and calls to boycott Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 tourists.

India’s withdrawal allowed Pakistan to qualify directly for the final, where they lost to South Africa. The PCB, chaired by Mohsin Naqvi, said WCL’s conduct “compromised fair play” and showed “a disregard for sporting neutrality.”

In a strongly worded statement, the board accused the organisers of succumbing to nationalist narratives while publicly promoting “peace through sport.” The PCB also criticised WCL’s apology for “hurting sentiments” as “farcical” and “not based on cricketing merit.”

The second edition of the WCL concluded on Saturday with South Africa defeating Pakistan by nine wickets in the final at Edgbaston.