A group of former Pakistan cricketers are facing a two-year ban from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after participating in an unsanctioned Twenty20 league in Lusaka, Zambia, where they reportedly also went unpaid — leaving several players stranded at hotels and airports before returning home empty-handed.

What Happened in Lusaka

The players travelled to Zambia to feature in the Asian Legends League, a tournament promoted last month that was scheduled to begin on 2 August. The league featured teams including Asian Stars, Pakistan Panthers, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka. Among the prominent names attached to the event were former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez, wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal, and all-rounder Sohail Tanvir.

The Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU) subsequently issued a statement clarifying that the league had received no sanction, approval, or endorsement from the board. Once this became public, some players — including former India batter Ambati Rayudu — withdrew without playing. The tournament was halted following the ZCU's intervention, reportedly also because organisers had failed to finalise a broadcast deal.

Players Left Stranded, Unpaid

According to sources close to the players, several international cricketers and support staff were left stranded in Lusaka as they struggled to resolve unpaid travel arrangements. One player, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he had been assured by agents that the league was ZCU-approved and that payment would be substantial.

'I had been surprised by the agents who had told him the League was approved by ZCU and that he would receive a good amount of money, but he did suffer embarrassment since the hotel would not let him settle into a room because of the non-payment and then had further difficulties at the airport,' the player said, according to reports.

Among the former Pakistan players who participated in matches were Imran Nazir, Taufeeq Umar, Yasir Shah, Hasan Raza, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Yasir Butt, Ibrar Hussain, and Rana Anwar.

PCB Imposes Two-Year Ban

The PCB confirmed the two-year ban after determining that the players had participated without securing the mandatory No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the board. At least one player acknowledged the error, reportedly saying the group had been misled by agents. '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.

Calls for Clemency and Review

Sources indicate that the affected players intend to approach PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi collectively, appealing for leniency on the grounds that cricket remains their primary source of income and that a two-year ban could have severe financial consequences.

Kamran Akmal has publicly backed his teammates, posting on social media that players from India, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan who also featured in the event have not faced comparable bans, and urging the PCB to reconsider. Reports also noted calls for a joint investigation involving multiple cricket boards. The PCB has not yet publicly responded to the appeal.

The Broader ICC Context

The controversy arrives at a moment when the International Cricket Council (ICC) has flagged concerns over the rapid proliferation of T20 franchise leagues globally. At its annual conference, the ICC established a dedicated Franchise Leagues Committee to oversee the growth of franchise cricket and improve coordination with the international calendar. Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal has been named chairman of the committee — a signal that governing bodies are taking the regulatory challenge seriously.

This episode underscores the risks players face when travelling for tournaments without proper board clearance, and is unlikely to be the last such case as the global T20 circuit continues to expand.