Cancellation of India-Pakistan Match in World Championship of Legends 2025
India-Pakistan Match Cancelled in WCL 2025
The highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 has been called off. This decision comes after several former Indian cricketers opted out of the game, which was set for July 20 at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
The WCL's second edition commenced with Pakistan facing England on May 18. However, the upcoming clash between India and Pakistan was particularly awaited. In light of recent events, including the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, there was significant criticism regarding the match's organization.
On April 22, a shocking incident occurred when terrorists attacked a group of 28 tourists, comprising 26 Indians and two foreign nationals, in Baisaran Meadows, near Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. This incident sparked widespread outrage across India.
In response, India launched 'Operation Sindoor', targeting various camps in Pakistan, which heightened diplomatic tensions and intensified public sentiment against sporting events with Pakistan.
Former Cricketers Withdraw from the Match
Following the backlash regarding the WCL match, several former Indian cricketers, including Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, and the Pathan brothers, Yusuf and Irfan, announced their withdrawal.
Shikhar Dhawan confirmed his exit from the match by posting a screenshot of his email to the WCL organizers on his social media account, stating, "The decision I made on May 11 still stands. My country is everything to me, and nothing is more important than my nation."
Dhawan's message emphasized his commitment to his country, reinforcing the sentiment shared by many.
The WCL 2025 schedule was released a week prior, featuring 18 matches across four UK venues, including Edgbaston, Northampton, Leicester, and Leeds, with the India-Pakistan match highlighted as a key event.
The semifinals are slated for July 31, with the final scheduled for August 2 at Edgbaston.
WCL's Official Statement on Match Cancellation
In light of the significant backlash regarding the India-Pakistan match, the WCL organizers issued a statement explaining their decision to proceed with the match initially.
They expressed regret for any distress caused to Indian cricket fans and the legends of Indian cricket.
"We at WCL have always cherished cricket and aimed to provide joyful moments for fans," the statement read.
"After observing recent sporting engagements between India and Pakistan, we believed it would be beneficial to continue with the match to create positive memories for fans worldwide," they added.
However, they acknowledged that their decision may have unintentionally hurt feelings and caused discomfort to Indian cricket legends and their supporters.
Consequently, they announced the cancellation of the match, reiterating their apologies and hope for understanding from the public.
Following this cancellation, the Indian Cricket Legends, led by Yuvraj Singh, will face South Africa Legends on July 22 at the County Ground in Northampton.