![\"Pakistan](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-133061357,imgsize-70932,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/pakistan-cricket.jpg\" "\\"(Representative")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nMore than a dozen former Pakistan<\/a> cricketers could be hit with two-year sanctions after participating in an \u201cunsanctioned\u201d T20 league in Zambia, with the tournament abruptly halted following intervention from the country\u2019s cricket board.The Asian Legends League in Lusaka attracted several former international players, but the Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU) last week clarified that the competition was \u201cnot sanctioned, approved or endorsed\u201d by the country\u2019s official governing body.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) subsequently said it had taken \u201cserious notice\u201d of the participation of its former players and warned that those who took part without the necessary approvals could face disciplinary action.According to ESPNcricinfo, Mohammad Hafeez<\/a>, Sohail Tanvir and Umar Akmal were among the players who travelled to Lusaka but ultimately did not play after learning that the required approvals had not come through. Several other former Pakistan cricketers, however, are understood to have participated in matches.<\/p>\n The PCB said players found to have participated without the requisite approvals would face two major penalties.\u201cIn light of the above, the following disciplinary measures will be taken on individuals found to have participated in the said unsanctioned event without obtaining the requisite approvals from the PCB,\u201d the board said.It listed a two-year ban from the issuance of any PCB No Objection Certificate (NOC) for participation in approved overseas cricket leagues or events, as well as ineligibility for any cricketing, coaching, consultancy, mentoring and\/or other assignments with the PCB and the PSL for two years.The PCB added: \u201cThe PCB remains fully committed to upholding the ICC regulations and safeguarding the integrity and governance of the game.\u201dAmong the former Pakistan players linked with the tournament are Imran Nazir, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Irfan, Rahat Ali, Hasan Raza, Yasir Butt and Rana Naeem Anwar. ESPNcricinfo said it had verified that some, though not all, of the players listed in the Pakistan Panthers squad actually participated in matches.<\/p>\n The controversy has deepened with reports that some players and support staff faced difficulties over accommodation, travel arrangements and payments after the tournament ran into trouble.A player, speaking anonymously to Telecom Asia Network, reportedly said the group had been misled by agents who claimed the competition had ZCU approval. The player said participants returned without receiving the financial rewards they had expected and described the episode as a major setback.\u201cThe 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,\u201d the player was quoted as saying.The tournament featured six teams \u2014 Pakistan Panthers, Indian Royals, Sri Lankan Lions, Bangladesh Tigers, Afghanistan Pathans and Asian Stars \u2014 with players from several nationalities. ESPNcricinfo reported that Pakistan was the only board to have issued a statement specifically terming its players\u2019 participation a violation and threatening sanctions.Kamran Akmal has also reportedly urged the PCB to reconsider the punishment, pointing to the participation of players from other countries.<\/p>\n The controversy comes as the ICC has begun taking a closer look at the rapidly expanding global franchise-league landscape.At its July annual meetings, the ICC Board approved the creation of a Franchise Leagues Committee, chaired by former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal, to address issues surrounding the growth and coordination of franchise cricket.For the Pakistan players involved in Zambia, however, the immediate concern is the potential two-year loss of access to PCB NOCs and assignments \u2014 a punishment that could have significant consequences for former cricketers who continue to rely on playing and cricket-related opportunities for their income.<\/div>\n More than a dozen former Pakistan cricketers could be hit with two-year sanctions after participating in an \u201cunsanctioned\u201d T20 league in Zambia, with the tournament abruptly halted following intervention from the country\u2019s cricket board.The Asian Legends League in Lusaka attracted several former international players, but the Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU) last week clarified that the 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than a dozen former Pakistan cricketers could be hit with two-year sanctions after participating in an \u201cunsanctioned\u201d T20 league in Zambia, with the tournament abruptly halted following intervention from the country\u2019s cricket board.The Asian Legends League in Lusaka attracted several former international players, but the Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU) last week clarified that the […]","magazineBlocksPostCategories":["\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36 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ban looms for players<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Players reportedly left unpaid<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
ICC steps up focus on franchise leagues<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"