The World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 has been plunged into controversy as the highly anticipated India-Pakistan semi-final match faces uncertainty following a boycott by major sponsor EaseMyTrip and earlier player withdrawals. The company’s co-founder, Nishant Pitti, announced on July 30, 2025, that EaseMyTrip would not associate with the semi-final, citing national sentiment in the wake of the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives. “Terror and cricket cannot go hand in hand,” Pitti declared in a social media post, emphasizing that the company stands with India and will not support events normalizing relations with a country accused of promoting terrorism.
The controversy echoes the earlier cancellation of the India-Pakistan group stage match on July 20, when Indian cricket legends, including Shikhar Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, and Suresh Raina, withdrew, citing geopolitical tensions and the Pahalgam attack. The players’ decision, backed by widespread public outrage, forced WCL organizers to scrap the fixture and issue an apology for misjudging public sentiment. EaseMyTrip, a key sponsor, had already distanced itself from any Pakistan-involved matches, a stance reiterated for the semi-final. The company’s post stated, “Some things are bigger than sport. Nation first, business later. Always.”
Adding fuel to the debate, former cricketer Manoj Tiwary voiced opposition to the scheduled India-Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025, set for September 14 in the UAE. Speaking to ANI, Tiwary argued that such matches should not proceed given the recent terror attack and India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor. The Asia Cup, hosted in a T20 format, places India and Pakistan in Group A alongside UAE and Oman, with potential for multiple clashes if both teams advance to the Super Four stage. The BCCI faces mounting pressure from fans and political figures, with hashtags like #BoycottAsiaCup trending online, as critics question the board’s decision to participate amid ongoing tensions.
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The WCL semi-final’s fate remains uncertain as organizers navigate the fallout. India Champions, led by Yuvraj Singh, secured their semi-final spot with a strong win against West Indies Champions, but the boycott by players and sponsors could disrupt the tournament’s climax. The controversy underscores the complex interplay of cricket, nationalism, and geopolitics, with calls growing for the BCCI to adopt a consistent stance on India-Pakistan sporting engagements.
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