India Champions vs Pakistan Champions clash postponed as Shikhar Dhawan, others withdraw and refuse to participate in the match
By Zafar Bhutta
The sentiments of cricket fans in India and Pakistan were high. They have been anxiously waiting for a match between the legends of Pakistan and India in WCL 2025. But suddenly, they were shocked to know that the match was called off amid geopolitical tension between the two countries.
In a dramatic twist to the WCL 2025 schedule, the much-anticipated clash between India Champions vs Pakistan Champions was called off just hours before the toss.
The World Championship of Legends (WCL) organizers had confirmed that the Pakistan vs. India legends match, which was scheduled on Sunday in Birmingham, was cancelled due to escalating geopolitical tensions between the two countries.
According to a statement shared by WCL on X (formerly Twitter), several Indian champions, including Shikhar Dhawan, had trigged cancellation who refused to participate in the match against Pakistan champions. Dhawan had also posted a screenshot of his official withdrawal while citing the “prevailing situation” as the key reason.
A Missed Showdown
This Pak champion vs. India champion match was supposed to be one of the most high-voltage encounters of the tournament. Cricket fans around the world, especially those from Pakistan and India, had been eagerly waiting for the match. They expected this match would have featured legends like Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez (captaining pak c), and Yuvraj Singh (leading ind c).
Despite the growing excitement, Indian players backed out and forced WCL to call off the match, which would have been the tournament’s most-watched Pak vs India legends match.
WCL’s Peaceful Intentions
The WCL, which is currently taking place across cities including Leeds, Leicester, Northampton, and Birmingham, is a T20 cricket league. It has featured retired international players. The league’s website emphasizes WCL’s mission to promote cross-border friendship and nostalgic cricketing rivalries. A spirit that India has seemingly undermined due to political concerns.
The Pak vs Ind legends league 2025 clash was being considered as a goodwill gesture, especially following Pakistan’s U-16 volleyball team, which defeated India 3-0 recently, and talks of Pakistan’s hockey team touring India. But the India champions vs Pakistan champions players lineup never took the field.
Political Fallout and Backlash
The cancellation has sparked political reaction. Pakistani Senator Sherry Rehman has lambasted the Indian side and accused them of “turning cricket into a tool of hatred.”
“Sports are ambassadors of peace and mutual respect. India’s refusal to play the Pakistan vs India match is driven by a hate-driven agenda,” she posted on X. She also criticized what she called the “Modi-worshipping mindset” of Indian athletes.
Her remarks follow a broader breakdown in diplomatic relations, which intensified after the April 22 Pahalgam attack in India-occupied Kashmir. The brief but intense conflict had led to a military standoff and India’s Operation Sindoor, escalating regional tensions.
Tournament Continues Amid Controversy
The WCL matches continue through August 2 with England, Australia, South Africa, West Indies, Pakistan, and India in the fray. However, the recent cancellation of the match between Pakistan and India’s legends marks a major stain on the spirit of the tournament.
Cricket fans, especially in South Asia, are now speculating whether a future match between the legends of these two countries will ever take place again under the WCL 2025 points table framework.
While the Pakistan cricket team remains active and hopeful for cross-border cricket but the recent events have resulted in a blow to fans longing for a peaceful sporting rivalry on neutral turf.
