After participating in an unofficial T20 league in Zambia, where they allegedly did not get full payment, a group of former Pakistani cricket players have returned and are now facing a two-year ban from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The players travelled to Lusaka to compete in the Asian Legends League, a competition that was advertised last month and featured players like all-rounder Sohail Tanvir, wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal, and former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez. India’s Ambati Rayudu had originally planned to participate in the league, but after learning that the competition had not been approved, he left Zambia without participating.

On August 2, the Lusaka T20 League, which featured teams including Asian Stars, Pakistan Panthers, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka, was scheduled to begin.

After learning that the competition had not been approved by the Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU), Hafeez, Akmal, Tanvir, and Zahid Mahmood requested information about it, according to an IANS report.

According to the report, players like Hafeez, Akmal, Tanvir, and Zahid Mahmood asked questions about the league. After learning that the Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU) had not sanctioned it and that the ZCU had made it clear in a statement that the league had not received any sanction, approval, or endorsement, some players, including Ambati Rayudu, chose to withdraw without participating.

There have reportedly been calls for “a joint investigation involving multiple cricket boards” after several International players and their support personnel were left stranded in Lusaka while they tried to resolve their unpaid travel arrangements. Former Pakistani players who participated in certain games included Imran Nazir, Taufeeq Umar, Yasir Shah, Hasan Raza, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Yasir Butt, Ibrar Hussain, and Rana Anwar.

The ZCU’s action caused the tournament to abruptly end. The organisers were unable to complete a broadcast agreement, according to the report.

The PCB ordered a two-year ban after learning that former Pakistani players had participated in the Asian Legends League and that they had failed to obtain the required No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the board. One athlete said that participating in the competition had been a mistake and claimed that agents had deceived the group.

On the condition of anonymity, the player informed Telecom Asia Network that he had been duped by agents who had assured him that the league was authorised by hZCU and that he would get a respectable salary. He was embarrassed, nevertheless, when the hotel refused to allow him to check into a room due to nonpayment, and he later encountered more issues at the airport.

The player claimed that the cricket players were now subject to severe punishment after returning without the anticipated money compensation.

“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,” the player said.

Sources state that the affected players intend to approach Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the PCB, and ask for clemency on the grounds that cricket is still their main source of income and that a two-year ban could have serious financial repercussions.

Akmal has also publicly supported his teammates and asked the PCB to review the punishment. Akmal stated on social media that players from other countries such as India, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan took part in the event and have not been banned, and that the PCB should reconsider this penalty since the players’ livelihoods depend on cricket.

The controversy comes at a time when the International Cricket Council (ICC) has expressed concern about the rapid increase in T20 franchise leagues worldwide. To supervise the development of T20 franchise cricket and ensure better coordination with the international cricket schedule, the ICC established a special Franchise Leagues Committee at its annual conference.

Tamim Iqbal, the former Bangladesh captain, has been named chairman of the committee.

With IANS Inputs