Following the recent humiliation faced by Pakistan Champions in the WCL 2025 after India’s walkover, the Pakistan Cricket Board has banned them from using the name ‘Pakistan’ in private leagues, just before the Asia Cup 2025.
The Indo-Pak war has transcended from the battlefield to the cricket field, as India has now denied playing against Pakistan on multiple occasions, especially in leagues that are under their discretion. However, the Asia Cup has been agreed upon by both boards, with some other national obligations.
As a aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, the Indian players withdrew their names from playing against Pakistan, as a result of which the Pakistan team was left humiliated. As of now, it has also instigated the PCB authorities to take some strict action over the same.
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PCB imposes ban on usage of the name ‘Pakistan’ in private leagues
The Pakistan Cricket Board has reportedly banned the usage of the country’s name, ‘Pakistan,’ in private cricket leagues, which do not come under the supervision of the PCB.
This statement from the PCB came after the India Champions denied playing against the Pakistan Champions in the World Championship of Legends, which the board has cited as a humiliation to the country’s esteem. The decision was supposedly made during a board of directors meeting, as reported by Telecom Asia Sport.
“The decision was taken after a detailed discussion in the Board of Directors meeting on Thursday. The high-level authorities felt that Indian players refusing to play Pakistan in the WCL’s second edition twice was hurtful to the name of the country.”
“All private organisations will face legal action in case they use Pakistan’s name. PCB has the sole right to allow its use for cricket events if it finds the authenticity of the League and the organisation as reputable,” claimed the report.
Pakistan humiliated by India Champions with WCL walkover
The India Champions are a free body not overlooked by the BCCI, and the players involved are all former Indian cricketers who have no obligations to the BCCI or ICC rules. Hence, they denied playing against Pakistan Champions in the WCL 2025 opener, as it was scheduled as a re-match of last year’s Final.
However, the story did not change even after the Indian Champions qualified for the semi-finals and were scheduled to play against the Pakistan Champions. The Indian champions gave Pakistan a walkover, as a result of which Pakistan qualified directly for the finals.
As of now, the Pakistan Champions will be permitted to play in Saturday’s final against the South Africa Champions; however, the PCB has said that future private organisations will need explicit permission from the PCB to use the country’s name.
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Asia Cup 2025 to witness India vs Pakistan after 7 months
India and Pakistan last featured in a bilateral white-ball series back in 2012-13 and a red-ball series back in 2007-08; however, since then, they have played against each other only in ICC as well as ACC events.
After the India vs Pakistan match took place in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy back in February, the two teams take on each other in the Asia Cup 2025 after a long gap of 7 months.
However, they might play each other multiple times in the Asia Cup 2025 if they can advance to the further stages of the continental championship. As per the current Asia Cup 2025 schedule, India and Pakistan will face each other on September 14.
They might once again meet in the Super 4 of Asia Cup 2025 and then once again could play each other in the Asia Cup 2025 final.
