The controversy around Pakistani players participating in the World Championship of Legends has taken a fresh twist as Kamil Khan, the owner of the Pakistan Champions team, publicly rejected the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to ban player involvement in the tournament.
Who Is Kamil Khan?
Kamil Khan, an Australian national, is the brother-in-law of former Pakistan cricket captain Waqar Younis. He owns the Pakistan Champions franchise in the World Championship of Legends – a T20 league featuring retired international stars.
PCB Issues Ban on Player Participation
Recently, the PCB imposed a complete ban on Pakistani players participating in the tournament, which was held in England. The board stated that it did not officially support the event and claimed that player participation was unauthorized.
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Kamil Khan Fires Back: “The Team Belongs to Us, Not the PCB”
In a firm response, Kamil Khan dismissed the PCB’s stance and questioned the basis of their claims.
“I’ve seen reports suggesting that our team won’t be supported. Where did this come from?If the PCB truly made this claim, I have no idea what prompted it. This is our team – I own it. It’s not PCB’s team,” said Khan.
He further asserted that no authority could stop them from using the country’s name, as they were simply honoring their national identity through the franchise name Pakistan Champions.
PCB Gave Initial Approval, Says Kamil Khan
Khan emphasized that all legal clearances and approvals were obtained prior to the tournament. He revealed that the players had participated with official PCB clearance and that No Objection Certificates (NOCs) were issued well in advance.
“We had a constructive discussion with Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. The team name was selected to proudly represent Pakistan on the global stage.” We didn’t use the PCB logo or branding – we only signed players after getting the necessary approvals,” he clarified.
National Identity Without PCB Branding
Kamil Khan underlined that the use of the name Pakistan Champions was purely symbolic and patriotic. There was no use of the PCB’s official logo, trademarks, or branding elements. He stressed that the team aimed to celebrate Pakistan’s cricketing legacy on the global stage with full respect for legal protocols.
What’s Next?
As the PCB maintains its position on disassociating from unsanctioned events, the public dispute with Kamil Khan adds complexity to the situation. The episode has opened up a broader discussion on the governance of retired players’ leagues and the rights of private franchises to represent national identities in unofficial competitions.
