India vs Pakistan Legends Match CANCELLED After Major Boycott by Indian Stars Over Geopolitical Tensions.
The WCL 2025 clash was called off after top Indian cricketers refused to play against Pakistan due to rising geopolitical tensions.
In a dramatic turn of events, the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 has been officially called off. The blockbuster fixture, scheduled for Sunday at Edgbaston, was scrapped after several prominent Indian players, including Shikhar Dhawan and Harbhajan Singh, refused to take the field due to escalating geopolitical tensions between the two nations.
The cancellation comes in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attacks earlier this year, which have significantly strained India-Pakistan relations. Citing the ongoing conflict, Dhawan took to social media late Saturday to confirm his withdrawal from the match, sharing an official letter stating he would not participate in any fixtures involving Pakistan in the WCL 2025.
“In view of the current geopolitical situation and the prevailing tensions between India and Pakistan, Mr. Dhawan and his team have taken this position after due consideration,” the letter read.
The boycott quickly gained momentum as other Indian legends, including Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, and brothers Irfan and Yusuf Pathan, followed suit, pulling out of the marquee fixture. With a significant portion of the squad refusing to play, the WCL organisers were left with no choice but to cancel the match altogether.
In a statement released in the early hours of Sunday, the WCL management expressed regret over the decision and apologised for "hurting sentiments," saying the match was intended to bring joy to fans globally.
“After seeing other India vs Pakistan fixtures in sports like volleyball and hockey being played, we thought this match would create happy memories,” the statement read. “But in doing so, we may have caused discomfort to our Indian Cricket Legends and affected the sentiments of fans and supporting brands. We sincerely apologise and have decided to cancel the game.”
India and Pakistan had faced off in the final of the inaugural WCL tournament last year, with India clinching the title by five wickets. The second edition was expected to rekindle the storied rivalry, but political realities have overshadowed the sport this time.
India will now begin their WCL 2025 campaign on July 22 against South Africa Champions in Northampton, while Pakistan’s next match is scheduled for July 25 in Leicester.
This cancellation is the latest reminder of how political tensions can spill over into the world of sports—sometimes even halting the most anticipated showdowns.
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