The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 has officially been called off, following the withdrawal of several key Indian players including Shikhar Dhawan. The match, which was set to take place in Birmingham on Sunday, July 20, was scrapped after Dhawan publicly announced his refusal to play against Pakistan, citing ongoing geopolitical tensions between the two nations.
Dhawan took to social media to share a letter he had written to the organizer’s, explaining his decision not to participate in the match in light of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 Indian tourists. Following Dhawan’s lead, other former Indian cricketers such as Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Yusuf Pathan also reportedly pulled out, making it logistically and emotionally impossible for the match to go forward.
While India and Pakistan haven’t played bilateral cricket in over a decade, encounters between the two are still seen in ICC and ACC multi-nation events. However, since WCL is a privately run league and not governed by the BCCI, the board has no control over player participation or match decisions.
In a heartfelt statement, the WCL 2025 organizer’s expressed regret, stating that their intention was only to bring joy to fans through cricket. They acknowledged that in trying to revive the historic rivalry, they may have unintentionally stirred public emotions and hurt sentiments.
This cancellation serves as yet another reminder of how deeply politics and international relations continue to impact the world of sports, especially in the context of India and Pakistan. For now, fans will have to wait longer to see the legendary face-off unfold on the pitch once again.