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Why India vs Pakistan Match Was Cancelled At WCL 2025? All You Need To Know

Jatin

India vs Pakistan match was called off [Source: @KLR1_4U, @DheetAfridian/x.com]India vs Pakistan match was called off [Source: @KLR1_4U, @DheetAfridian/x.com]

The high-voltage India vs Pakistan clash in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 was called off just hours before the toss. Slated for July 20 at Edgbaston, Birmingham, the match was meant to be a throwback battle featuring cricketing legends from both sides.

But instead of nostalgia and fireworks, the fixture stirred up controversy and backlash, eventually leading to a complete cancellation. So, what went down behind the scenes? Why did players back out? And how did WCL and sponsors respond to the chaos?

Here's a full breakdown of why India vs Pakistan match was cancelled.

The Build-Up That Promised A Classic

The second edition of WCL kicked off on July 18 with the final scheduled for August 2. The India vs Pakistan fixture was India Champions’ first match of the season while Pakistan Champions had already played, registering a thrilling five-run win over England.

The Indian team, led by Yuvraj Singh, featured heavyweights like Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan, Robin Uthappa and Shikhar Dhawan. Fans expected fireworks at Edgbaston but what unfolded was a completely different script.

Players Pull Out Amid Public Backlash

As the date drew closer, a massive wave of outrage swept across social media, especially over the Indian team’s participation in a fixture against Pakistan. This anger stemmed from the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam where 26 civilians lost their lives. The incident triggered a nationwide outcry and public sentiment boiled over when it was announced that Indian legends would take the field against Pakistan.

Things escalated when former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, now part of the Pakistan Champions squad, allegedly made an anti-India remark shortly after the attack, linked to the Resistance Front, an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Under mounting pressure, several Indian players decided to withdraw, reportedly citing the current mood in the country.

Who Withdrew and When?

As per a Revsportz report, the first to step away were Harbhajan Singh, Yusuf Pathan and Irfan Pathan. All three reportedly chose to opt out of the fixture, given the sensitive nature of the situation.

Public heat soon reached others too, including Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan. Though they stayed silent initially, it was Dhawan who became the first to officially confirm his withdrawal.

In the early hours of Sunday, Shikhar Dhawan released a formal statement on X, making his stance crystal clear:

"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."

With at least six players refusing to play, the game was effectively dead in the water.

WCL Organisers Respond And Call Off Match

Once the news of player withdrawals broke, WCL officially cancelled the India Champions vs Pakistan Champions match. In a public statement, they admitted their intention was to “create happy memories,” but they acknowledged that they may have “stirred emotions” instead.

"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."

Sponsor EaseMyTrip Stands With Team India

Adding to the drama, official sponsor EaseMyTrip came out with a strongly worded statement. They clarified that while they signed a five-year sponsorship deal with WCL, they would not associate with any match involving Pakistan.

"Despite entering into a 5-year sponsorship agreement with the World Championship of Legends (WCL) two years ago, our stance has always been clear - EaseMyTrip will not be associated with or participate in any WCL match involving Pakistan. EaseMyTrip supports Team India, but will not engage in any match featuring Pakistan. Let's bring the cup home. Bharat First. Always."

Meanwhile, what was meant to be a nostalgic clash between legends ended up becoming a major controversy. With political tension spilling onto the cricket field, India vs Pakistan at WCL 2025 will be remembered for the strong stand taken by players and sponsors alike.