A league once positioned as a beacon for aspiring cricketers from underserved regions is now mired in controversy—and Irfan Pathan wants no part of it.
On February 10, the former Indian all-rounder issued a public statement on X (formerly Twitter), making it clear that he has officially severed ties with the Epic Victory Cricket League (EVCL). His disassociation, he said, stems from a serious breach of contract by the league’s organizers.
“I am issuing this statement to clarify that I have no association with the Epic Victory Cricket League (EVCL). My contract with EVCL was formally terminated on 19th October 2025. This termination was a direct result of EVCL’s material breach of the terms of the agreement,” he wrote in the post.
Just an update for the media and cricketing friends. pic.twitter.com/oAkl3ZkZpv
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) February 10, 2026
Despite this termination, Pathan discovered that his image and name were still being used in promotional materials related to the tournament—a development that prompted him to issue a strong warning to both the public and the media.
“It has come to my attention that my name and image are still being used to promote EVCL without my consent. Please be advised that any claim of my involvement, endorsement, or commitment to EVCL is false and unauthorized. I request all media platforms and the public to disregard any promotional content linking me to this league,” he added.
League’s credibility under fire amid fraud investigation
The EVCL, which was launched with the goal of highlighting grassroots talent and was originally inaugurated in Srinagar in April 2025, promised to bridge the gap between informal cricket and professional competition. The initiative attracted national attention, especially for its focus on regions like Jammu and Kashmir, and was set to feature players aged 17 to 39.
Speaking at the league’s launch event held at Radisson Hotel, Pathan had underscored the developmental intent behind the tournament, stating, “There are boys who have never had a platform. This is for them.”
However, as the 2026 edition of the EVCL kicked off on February 3 at the Indira Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Haldwani, the league quickly became engulfed in controversy. According to a report by Kumaon Jagran, one of the organizers, Vikas Dhaka, was arrested after allegedly defrauding investors by falsely promising a high-profile cricket tournament featuring celebrity athletes. The report estimates that roughly ₹32 lakh (approx. US$ 35.3K) was siphoned from league stakeholders.
Questions mount as the league proceeds under shadow
Despite the growing scandal and lack of updates on official channels, the EVCL is reportedly underway with multiple franchises participating—including Haldwani Tigers, Mussoorie Kings, UP Warriors, Varanasi Vipers, Uttarakhand Soldiers, and Delhi Knights. With semi-finals scheduled for February 11 and the final on February 12, the tournament appears to be continuing amid increasing scrutiny.
The EVCL’s official website had previously showcased a lineup of big names including Irfan Pathan, Shikhar Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, and several international stars. But with mounting allegations of fraud and unauthorized endorsements, the credibility of these associations has been cast into doubt.
As legal investigations unfold and public trust wanes, Irfan Pathan’s decisive disavowal signals a critical moment for the league—one that was once pitched as a game-changer for Indian domestic cricket.
