India Pakistan Legends Match Cancelled: In a significant and emotionally charged move, the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan match at the World Championship of Legends (WCL) has been officially cancelled. Several prominent Indian players, including Shikhar Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Yusuf Pathan, have opted out of the match in response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 Indian tourists.
The match, which was scheduled for Sunday at Edgbaston, was a part of the second edition of the WCL—a tournament co-owned by Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn. The decision to cancel the high-voltage encounter came after growing criticism and public outrage over Indian players’ participation against Pakistan amid the prevailing geopolitical tension.
Shikhar Dhawan Leads the Boycott
Veteran opener Shikhar Dhawan, who was part of the India Champions team, took to social media to announce his firm decision to not participate in any matches against Pakistan.
“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,” the statement read.
Dhawan, along with other players, made the decision out of respect for the lives lost in the April Pahalgam terror attack and in solidarity with national sentiment. The Operation Sindoor, which followed the attack, further intensified tensions between the two countries, with a brief military standoff preceding a ceasefire.
WCL Organisers Issue Public Apology
Following the backlash and withdrawal of Indian players, the WCL organisers released a statement on X (formerly Twitter) acknowledging the emotional nature of the issue and expressing regret:
“Our only intention was to recreate some happy memories. But maybe in the process, we ended up hurting the feelings of many and stirring emotions. We sincerely apologise.”
They further added that the match was initially planned in the spirit of sportsmanship, especially after seeing recent India-Pakistan interactions in volleyball and hockey. However, acknowledging the national sentiment, they decided to call off the match.
Prominent Indian Cricketers Take a Stand
Besides Dhawan, other cricketing legends like Harbhajan Singh—now a Rajya Sabha MP—along with Yusuf Pathan and Irfan Pathan, have also boycotted the match. Although they have not released individual statements yet, sources confirmed their decision.
Yuvraj Singh, another former World Cup winner, is leading the India Champions squad, which also includes Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa, Varun Aaron, and others.
The Pakistan Legends team, captained by Shahid Afridi, features names like Younis Khan, Sohail Tanvir, Wahab Riaz, and Kamran Akmal.
The Geopolitical Context: Why the Boycott Matters
The cancellation highlights the complex relationship between sports and politics in the subcontinent. While India and Pakistan do not play bilateral cricket, they still meet in global ICC events and other neutral sporting competitions.
This year, despite the strained relations, Pakistan is allowed to participate in several international events hosted in India, including:
- Hockey Asia Cup (August)
- Junior Shooting World Cup (September)
- Junior Hockey World Cup (Nov-Dec)
- World Para Athletics Championships (October)
These decisions were made to comply with the Olympic Charter, specifically Rule 44, which prohibits the exclusion of athletes based on political or religious grounds.
However, cricket remains a more emotionally charged space. The BCCI has made it clear that it will not participate in bilateral events with Pakistan. In fact, for the upcoming Men’s Asia Cup, the venue for the India-Pakistan clash remains undecided.
Fans React to the Decision
Indian fans overwhelmingly supported the boycott, praising the players for their patriotic stand. Social media was flooded with hashtags like #BoycottPakistanMatch and #StandWithSoldiers, calling for stronger action against Pakistan in all spheres—including sports.
Critics argue that sports should transcend politics, but in the wake of terror attacks and national security concerns, many believe that boycotting such fixtures is a symbolic yet powerful gesture
What’s Next for WCL 2025?
Despite the cancellation, the tournament will continue, with the final scheduled for August 2 at Edgbaston. The India Champions team will participate in the remaining fixtures, excluding any match involving Pakistan.
Organisers are expected to revise the schedule, possibly replacing the India-Pakistan game with another inter-team clash or a special exhibition match.
The decision to cancel the India vs Pakistan legends match at WCL 2025 is more than just a sporting call—it’s a reflection of national emotion, security priorities, and respect for the lives lost in the Pahalgam tragedy. While cricket has often served as a bridge between the two nations, sometimes, stepping back is a way of standing tall.