IND vs PAK WCL 2025 Match Called Off By Organisers, Apologise For 'Hurting' Sentiments

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WCL 2025: The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash at the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025, scheduled for July 20 at Birmingham's Edgbaston Cricket Ground, has been officially cancelled.

The decision, announced late Saturday night, comes in light of rising concerns about emotional sensitivities and public sentiment surrounding the match.

In their statement, WCL organisers expressed regret over the unintended consequences of scheduling the fixture. "We at WCL have always cherished and loved cricket, and our only aim has been to give fans some good, happy moments. After hearing the news that the Pakistan hockey team will be coming to India this year and seeing the recent India vs Pakistan volleyball match along with a few other fixtures between the two nations in different sports, we thought of continuing with the India vs Pakistan match at WCL - just to create some happy memories for people around the globe. But maybe in the process, we ended up hurting the feelings of many and stirring emotions," the statement read.

The WCL, a privately-owned tournament sanctioned by the England and Wales Cricket Board, features six teams-India, Pakistan, England, Australia, South Africa, and the West Indies-comprising retired international stars. The league is co-owned by rapper Harshit Tomar and Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn.

Former India batter Shikhar Dhawan, who was expected to be part of the marquee game, also confirmed his non-participation through social media. "This is to formally reiterate and confirm that Mr. Shikhar Dhawan will not be participating in any matches against the Pakistan team in the upcoming WCL League. This decision was communicated earlier during our discussion on call and WhatsApp dated 11th May 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. We respectfully request the league's understanding and cooperation on this matter," a statement from his official handles read.

The backlash surrounding the match had already led to early withdrawals from several high-profile Indian cricketers. Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Yusuf Pathan had previously opted out, reportedly due to the public outrage following the recent Pahalgam terror attack.

Despite the cancellation, the Indian WCL squad still features a number of popular former players including Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, Stuart Binny, Varun Aaron, and Vinay Kumar.

The WCL actually aimed to bring back the nostalgia of cricketing legends through this league, but the socio-political climate has once again shown its impact on sport, particularly when it involves India and Pakistan.