Why the India vs Pakistan Match at the World Championship of Legends Was Canceled
Cancellation of the Highly Anticipated Match
Birmingham: The eagerly awaited match between India and Pakistan at the World Championship of Legends (WCL) has been officially canceled due to significant objections raised by Indian players and a key tournament sponsor.
The tournament organizers made the announcement, expressing their regret for "hurting sentiments" and causing "discomfort" among the Indian legends.
In their statement, the WCL organizers explained that the India-Pakistan match was intended to promote goodwill, inspired by a recent friendly volleyball game between the two countries. However, they recognized that this initiative backfired, leading to unease among Indian players and a strong public backlash.
"The fixture was intended to create joyful memories for fans," the statement noted. "However, we realize it may have caused distress to the Indian legends and their supporters. We sincerely apologize for any hurt caused and have opted to cancel the match."
The cancellation came after former Indian cricketers, including Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan, publicly declared their refusal to participate in the match.
Dhawan took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to share an email he sent to WCL organizers on May 11, clearly stating his decision not to play against Pakistan. He wrote, "Jo kadam 11 May ko liya, uspe aaj bhi waise hi khada hoon. Mera desh mere liye sab kuch hai, aur desh se badhkar kuch nahi hota (I stand by the decision I made on May 11. My country is everything to me, and nothing is greater than the nation)."
Reports indicate that other Indian players have also privately expressed their intention to skip the match against Pakistan.
The situation escalated when one of WCL's primary sponsors, travel-tech firm EaseMyTrip, reiterated its long-standing policy of non-participation in any match involving Pakistan. The company, which entered a five-year sponsorship agreement with the tournament two years ago, reaffirmed its position in a statement on social media.
"Despite our five-year sponsorship with WCL, our stance has always been clear—EaseMyTrip will not be associated with or participate in any WCL match involving Pakistan," the company stated. "We proudly continue to support the India Champions but will not endorse or promote any match that includes Pakistan. This position was clearly communicated to the WCL team from the beginning. Bharat First. Always."
The match was set to take place in Birmingham on Sunday, marking the first cricket encounter between India and Pakistan since the Pahalgam terror attack and India's subsequent Operation Sindoor. Rising tensions had already cast a shadow over the fixture, leading to fan backlash and political discussions.
The India Legends team is the defending champion of the WCL, having triumphed over Pakistan in the final last year, with both Shahid Afridi and Indian stalwarts participating.