Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan recently came up with an important social media post to caution the media and people about a controversial cricket league. 

Epic Victory Cricket League (EVCL) 2026 was scheduled to start on February 3 at the Indira Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Gaulapar, Haldwani. However, a huge controversy, related to financial fraud, has reportedly collapsed the league before beginning. There is no information about the status of the tournament on the official website or on social media. 

According to the Kumaon Jagran report, Vikas Dhaka has been arrested for cheating investors in the name of the league. The police report suggested that Vikas duped about INR 32 lakhs from two league owners by falsely promising a professional cricket league and the participation of star players.

While the former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan was reportedly present at the official launch of the league, the tournament has been advertised as "Where Cricket Meets Luxury."

On Tuesday (February 10), Irfan Pathan clarified that his contract with EVCL was terminated on October 19, 2025, as he was no longer associated with the league. However, he has learnt that the league is still being promoted by using his name and image without his consent, and Irfan has advised that his present association with the league is false and unauthorised. 

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My contract with EVCL was formally terminated on 19th October 2025: Irfan Pathan

On his social media post, Irfan clarified, "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.

"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 unauthorised. I request all media platforms and the public to disregard any promotional content linking me to this league."

Just an update for the media and cricketing friends. pic.twitter.com/oAkl3ZkZpv

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) February 10, 2026

EVCL used many big names on the website

The EVCL website named Irfan Pathan, along with other former Indian cricketers Shikhar Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, Praveen Kumar, and Saurav Tiwari, as the magic players. 

The league website also named international players as former New Zealand cricketers Jesse Ryder, Martin Guptill, and Ross Taylor, along with former Australian cricketer Shane Watson, former West Indies cricketer Tino Best, and the former popular English cricketer Peter Trego.