World Club T20 Championship: Decision Pending

LAHORE: Sources have indicated that a definitive decision regarding the commencement of the World Club T20 Championship, which would showcase champion teams from various domestic T20 leagues, is still pending. This contradicts earlier reports suggesting Pakistan’s exclusion from the competition.

Insiders familiar with the situation have dismissed recent assertions that Lahore Qalandars, the 2025 Pakistan Super League (PSL) champions, were omitted from the proposed tournament, labeling these claims as unfounded.

“No resolution has been reached concerning the establishment of a tournament featuring T20 league-winning teams. Consequently, the issue of excluding Pakistan is not relevant,” the source clarified.

Additionally, it was revealed that deliberations regarding a World Club T20 Championship did not occur during recent cricket meetings held in England.

“The topic was not included on the meeting agenda. Furthermore, neither the PSL nor the IPL had representatives present at these discussions,” the source added.

It was further highlighted that the topic was not brought up by any participating cricket board during these gatherings.

“Given that such an event is not currently being planned, any speculation about Pakistan’s exclusion is both premature and without basis,” the source asserted.

The authority to initiate and approve such a tournament is exclusively vested in the International Cricket Council (ICC). To date, the global governing body has not made any official announcement or undertaken any steps towards organizing a global T20 champions event.

Previous reports suggested that the inaugural edition of the World Club T20 Championship would involve five teams.

The envisioned event is anticipated to mirror the structure of the discontinued Champions League T20 (CLT20), which took place between 2009 and 2015.

Numerous cricketing nations, such as India, Pakistan, Australia, South Africa, England, the West Indies, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, the UAE, and the USA, presently host competitive T20 leagues.