After Indian players declined to play against the "Pakistan Champions" in the World Championships of Legends (WCL), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly banned the use of the national name by teams representing the nation in private cricket leagues.

The PCB has reportedly decided to stop using the nation's name in private cricket leagues after the current WCL in the UK was portrayed as a match between India and Pakistan, according to a report in Telecom Asia Sport.

“The decision was taken after a detailed discussion in the Board of Directors meeting on Thursday. The high-level authorities felt Indian players refusing to play Pakistan in the WCL's second edition twice is hurtful to the name of the country,” PCB sources told telecomasia.net.

No private group will be permitted to utilize the nation's name for private leagues in the future. Nonetheless, the current Pakistan Legends squad will be permitted to compete against South Africa in the final on Saturday.

According to the claims, a number of private organizations have utilized Pakistan's name to participate in low-profile tournaments in the USA, Kenya, and Zimbabwe.

“All private organizations will face legal action in case they use Pakistan's name. PCB has the sole right to allow its use for cricket events if it finds the authenticity of the league and the organization as reputable,” the report quoted sources close to the PCB as saying.

Additionally, the PCB has received advice from the Pakistani government and the Inter-provincial Coordination Committee (IPC), which oversees the nation's sports, to limit the use of the nation's name in private cricket tournaments going forward.

(IANS inputs)