Wahab Riaz to Participate in World Championship of Legends

Former Pakistani fast bowler and current Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official Wahab Riaz is poised to make a comeback to competitive cricket. He is slated to participate in the upcoming World Championship of Legends, which will take place in England later this month.

Wahab, who has held several positions with the PCB since his retirement from international cricket five years ago, has been included in the Pakistan Champions squad for the competition.

This development represents a change from earlier this year, when he was not allowed to work as the Quetta Gladiators’ bowling coach during the tenth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

However, sources suggest that the former left-arm bowler will likely receive a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the PCB for this specific event.

Besides Wahab Riaz, the Pakistan Champions squad features several other well-known former players, such as former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Sharjeel Khan, Asif Ali, Kamran Akmal, Aamer Yamin, Sohail Khan, and Sohail Tanvir.

The team is owned by Kamil Khan, who is the brother-in-law of former head coach Waqar Younis.

Waqar Younis has also expressed interest in coaching positions within the PCB and has been mentoring bowlers in recent skills camps.

Previously, he led the PCB’s Champions Cup mentorship program, which included Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saqlain Mushtaq, Shoaib Malik, and Waqar Younis as mentors.

The PCB has clarified its policy regarding former cricketers’ involvement in foreign leagues, permitting them—similar to current players—to participate in a maximum of two leagues annually. However, they do not receive PCB salaries while fulfilling their league commitments.

Pakistan Champions reached the final of the previous World Championship of Legends but were defeated by India under Younis Khan’s leadership. The participation of Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq in this year’s competition is still uncertain.

Pakistan Champions will commence the second season of the WCL on July 18 by playing against England Champions at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham.

The highly anticipated match between rivals India and Pakistan is scheduled for July 20 at the same venue.

Tournament Schedule:
  • League Stage
  • Knockout Stage