Islamabad: Several former Pakistan cricketers are reportedly facing two-year bans from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after participating in an unauthorised T20 league in Zambia.
The players had travelled to Lusaka last month to take part in the Asian Legends League. The group included former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez, wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal and all-rounder Sohail Tanvir. Former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu was also initially scheduled to participate but withdrew after learning that the tournament had not received the required approval.
The Lusaka T20 League, featuring teams such as 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 the Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU) had not sanctioned it.
After the ZCU clarified that it had not granted any permission, approval or endorsement for the league, some players, including Rayudu, decided not to participate and left, sources said.
Several international players and support staff were reportedly left stranded in Lusaka while trying to resolve issues related to unpaid travel arrangements. The development has also led to 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 reportedly played in some matches.
The tournament was abruptly suspended following intervention by the Zambia cricket authorities. According to reports, the organisers were also unable to finalise a broadcast agreement.
The PCB subsequently announced two-year bans after finding that the players had participated without obtaining the required No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the board.
One of the players reportedly admitted that participating in the tournament was a mistake and claimed that the group had been misled by agents.
The players returned without receiving the financial compensation they had expected and now face serious disciplinary action, the player was quoted as saying.