India vs Pakistan WCL 2025, WCL semi-final cancelled, India Champions boycott Pakistan WCL 2025

The much‑anticipated India Champions vs. Pakistan Champions semi-final in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025—scheduled for July 30 at Edgbaston, Birmingham—was cancelled after several prominent Indian legends withdrew. The decision once again highlighted how geopolitical tensions overshadow sporting engagements, even at veteran-level cricket

Why the Boycott Happened

Several senior Indian players independently refused to play, citing national sentiment and recent events:

Shikhar Dhawan, through social media and formal communication dated May 11, confirmed his withdrawal.

Others including Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, and Yuvraj Singh followed suit.

They cited the April Pahalg@m @ttack, rising public sentiment, and a desire to stand in solidarity with national concerns.

This marked a continuation of India’s long-standing decision to avoid bilateral matches against Pakistan under current political tensions.

📉 Organizers’ Response & Fallout

The WCL organisers formally cancelled the match less than 24 hours before kick-off.

In a public statement, they expressed regret, stating: “We unintentionally caused discomfort to our Indian Cricket Legends

EaseMyTrip, the main sponsor, withdrew support, declaring: “terr0r and cricket cannot go hand in hand”, further pressuring organisers.

As a result, Pakistan Champions were advanced directly to the final, while both sides received a point in league standings

👥 Reactions from Fans and Cricketers

Shahid Afridi, part of Pakistan Champions, voiced disappointment but urged restraint, saying “players should be ambassadors of peace”— highlighting the emotional impact of politics on cricket.

Media and fans across platforms reacted with frustration, launching petitions and hashtags like #WCL2025 and #IndVsPak demanding the fixture be reinstated.

For many, this felt like another missed chapter in a storied rivalry.

Headlines:

When Legends Walked Away: Inside the WCL 2025 India–Pakistan Match That Never Was

Politics Outplayed the Game: How Geopolitical Tensions Cancelled WCL’s Biggest Fixture

From Dhawan’s Email to Afridi’s Disappointment: The Making of the WCL 2025 No‑Show