The much-awaited India vs Pakistan legends clash at the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 has officially been called off.
What was meant to be a nostalgic and exciting cricket match turned into a controversial talking point — after several Indian legends pulled out and fans raised concerns.
Why Was the Match Cancelled?
The India vs Pakistan match was scheduled to take place in Birmingham on July 20, but it was cancelled after top Indian players like Shikhar Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan, and Yusuf Pathan withdrew from the fixture.
The reason? A strong wave of national sentiment. These players chose to step back in response to public outrage following a tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam (J&K) a few months earlier.
Shikhar Dhawan speaks up
In a heartfelt statement dated May 11, Dhawan wrote on X:
“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 still stand by the decision I took on May 11. My country means everything to me.”)
WCL Responds With an Apology
The WCL organisers quickly responded to the backlash and issued a heartfelt public apology:
“We ended up unintentionally causing discomfort and hurt… This was never our intention. We respect the feelings of our Indian legends and the nation.”
They said they only aimed to bring fans together through cricket — not stir any controversy.
Sponsors Step Back Too
The situation intensified when major sponsor EaseMyTrip also announced its withdrawal, stating:
“We do not support any match that includes Pakistan.”
This bold move sent a clear message and added more pressure on the WCL organisers to take action.
So What’s Next for WCL 2025?
While the India vs Pakistan match is officially cancelled, the WCL 2025 tournament will go on. Other matches featuring legends from England, Australia, South Africa, and others will still be played across UK venues like:
- Birmingham
- Leeds
- Leicester
- Northampton
The event runs from July 18 to August 2, and promises plenty of cricketing nostalgia, minus the controversial fixture.
