Birmingham (National Times): The highly anticipated India vs Pakistan fixture at the World Championship of Legends (WCL) has been officially cancelled after several Indian players opted out of the game, citing geopolitical concerns. The WCL organisers issued a public apology for disappointing fans and unintentionally hurting sentiments.
In an official statement, the WCL explained that the India-Pakistan match was scheduled with the intention of recreating joyful moments for cricket lovers, inspired by a recent friendly volleyball match between the two nations. However, the tournament acknowledged that this move unintentionally caused discomfort among the Indian cricket legends and their supporters.
“As a result, the decision was made to call off the fixture. We deeply regret the hurt this may have caused,” read the statement.
Earlier, Indian cricket stars, including Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan, had announced their decision to boycott the match. Reports suggest that other members of the Indian squad also took a similar stance.
Shikhar Dhawan, in a post on social media platform X, shared a copy of an email he had sent to the organisers dated May 11, clearly stating his unwillingness to play against Pakistan due to the prevailing geopolitical situation.
“I stand by the decision I made on May 11. My country means everything to me—nothing is greater than that,” Dhawan posted, reaffirming his patriotic stance.
The decision received further backing from EaseMyTrip, one of the tournament’s sponsors. Despite having signed a five-year sponsorship agreement with the WCL two years ago, the travel-tech firm made it clear it would not support or be associated with any match featuring Pakistan.
In a strongly worded post, EaseMyTrip stated:
“Our stance has always been clear—EaseMyTrip will not be associated with or participate in any WCL match involving Pakistan. We proudly support the India Champions and remain firmly committed to Team India. Bharat First. Always.”
The WCL 2025, sanctioned by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), is taking place from July 18 to August 2 across venues in Birmingham, Leicester, Leeds, and Northampton. The tournament brings together former international cricket legends in what was expected to be a nostalgic summer celebration of the sport.
The cancellation of the marquee India-Pakistan clash marks a significant moment in the championship, underscoring the continuing influence of international relations on global sporting events.
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