No apology, no handshake from Indian players: Is this why PCB denied NOC for WCL 3? The Pakistani champions are withdrawing

File Pic: Shahid Afridi and Yuvraj Singh during WCL Season 1. The Pakistani champions pulled out of the ongoing World Championship of Legends (WCL) season 3 after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refused to issue the required No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to their players, ending the uncertainty surrounding their participation.The withdrawal comes amid a row over the terms allegedly submitted by the PCB in connection with last year’s controversial India-Pakistan matches.According to a PTI report, the management wanted an assurance that the Indian players would apologize for refusing to play against Pakistan in 2025 and be willing to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts. The WCL management rejected these demands, leaving the NOC issue unresolved.

The PCB-WCL stalemate ended Pakistan’s campaign

Pakistan Champions owner Kamil Khan held talks with the PCB and asked the board to reconsider its decision. However, the council ultimately insisted on its refusal to issue the NOC.“Pakistan Champions regret to confirm that the team will not be able to participate in the ongoing World Cup of Legends (WCL), after the Pakistan Cricket Board decided to confirm its refusal to issue the required NOC,” the team said in a statement on Monday.“We respect the authority of the PCB and its decision, while we are naturally disappointed that our players will not get the opportunity to represent the Pakistani champions at this global gathering of cricket legends. We sincerely thank our players, supporters and fans for their patience, understanding and continued support,” he added.According to reports, the PCB has agreed to issue the NOC subject to certain conditions. These included a written apology from the Indian players for their decision not to play Pakistan last season and assurances regarding the handshake between the two sides. The WCL reportedly accepted the terms of business presented by the PCB, but rejected demands for an apology and a handshake.

The India vs Pakistan match has been called off

The dispute dates back to WCL 2025, when Indian champions refused to play their scheduled matches against champions Pakistan amid heightened political tensions. The group stage match was cancelled, while India again refused to play against Pakistan in the semi-finals, allowing Pakistan to advance to the final.The PCB subsequently imposed restrictions on the participation of its players in the WCL.The fallout has now also led to the cancellation of the scheduled clash between India and Pakistan on October 10 in Season 3. The WCL confirmed that the Pakistan Champions will not be participating, saying: “Official Update: The Pakistan Champions will not be participating in the WCL Season 3 due to unforeseen circumstances. The WCL Season 3 continues with six teams. The game still goes on. The legends continue.”The Pakistani champions finished as runners-up in both the previous editions, losing to champions India in the inaugural 2024 final and champions South Africa in the 2025 final.