WCL 2025 India vs Pakistan Match Cancelled After Indian Stars Boycott Over Pahalgam Attack
The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan legends match in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 has been officially cancelled, following a strong boycott by several high-profile former Indian cricketers. The decision came in the wake of the unresolved Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives earlier this year and has reignited the debate over India-Pakistan sporting ties.
Shikhar Dhawan, Harbhajan, Yusuf Pathan Lead Boycott
Among those who opted out were Shikhar Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, Yusuf Pathan, and reportedly Irfan Pathan as well. While Dhawan made his stance clear through a public statement on X (formerly Twitter), sources confirmed that Harbhajan and Yusuf had already communicated their decision to the organizers privately.
“This is to formally reiterate and confirm that I will not be participating in any matches against Pakistan in the WCL 2025,” Dhawan stated, referencing national sentiment and the ongoing pain of the victims’ families after the Pahalgam attack.
Political and Public Backlash Forces Action
The move follows growing political and public pressure, with Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi slamming both the BCCI and the tournament organizers. She questioned how a match between India and Pakistan could be allowed when justice had yet to be delivered for the Pahalgam victims.
“Absolutely shameless! We don’t have the Pahalgam terrorists yet but here we have an Indian side desperate to resume cricket matches with Pakistan,” Chaturvedi wrote on social media. Her comments triggered a wave of outrage, prompting WCL officials to reassess the viability of the game.
Organizers Forced to Cancel Match
With key Indian players refusing to take the field, WCL organizers had no choice but to cancel the match, which was scheduled to be played at Edgbaston on July 20.
The official statement from WCL read:
“Due to unforeseen player availability issues and growing sensitivities around the scheduled India vs Pakistan match, we regret to inform you that the match has been cancelled. We respect the sentiments expressed and stand in solidarity with all those affected by the Pahalgam tragedy.”
Dear all , pic.twitter.com/ViIlA3ZrLl
— World Championship Of Legends (@WclLeague) July 19, 2025
India-Pakistan Tensions Cast Shadow on WCL
This cancellation reignites the long-standing political tensions between the two nations, which have routinely disrupted cricketing ties. India and Pakistan haven’t played a bilateral series since 2012-13. While they have met in ICC and ACC tournaments, bilateral engagements remain suspended due to cross-border tensions and incidents like Uri, Pulwama, and now, Pahalgam. WCL 2025 India vs Pakistan match cancelled
This was to be the first instance since the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack where cricket teams from India and Pakistan were scheduled to face off, albeit in a private, retired-players tournament. The move now appears to have been politically tone-deaf. WCL 2025 India vs Pakistan match cancelled
WCL 2025: A Star-Studded Event, Now Marred by Controversy
The WCL 2025, which kicked off on July 18 at Edgbaston, had promised nostalgic excitement with teams featuring legends like Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, and Suresh Raina. India Champions were led by Yuvraj Singh and featured a host of 2011 World Cup winners. Pakistan Champions included Shahid Afridi, Misbah-ul-Haq, and Younis Khan. WCL 2025 India vs Pakistan match cancelled
Now, with the India vs Pakistan match scrapped, the tournament’s biggest draw has been lost, casting a shadow over the remaining fixtures. WCL 2025 India vs Pakistan match cancelled
Mixed Messaging From Officials Adds Confusion
Interestingly, while the BCCI reiterated that it wouldn’t support bilateral engagements with Pakistan, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya recently stated that the Centre had no objection to India playing against Pakistan in multilateral tournaments. WCL 2025 India vs Pakistan match cancelled
This contradictory stance has drawn criticism. Fans, media, and political leaders alike have pointed to the hypocrisy of allowing former Indian players to participate against Pakistan in an exhibition tournament while publicly condemning bilateral sporting relations.
Cricketers Caught in the Crossfire
Harbhajan Singh, a Rajya Sabha MP representing Aam Aadmi Party, and Yusuf Pathan, a Trinamool Congress MP from Baharampur, were reportedly reluctant to feature in the match due to both public sentiment and their own political affiliations. WCL 2025 India vs Pakistan match cancelled
While neither player issued a formal public statement, sources close to the players confirmed that they did not feel comfortable taking the field against Pakistan so soon after the Pahalgam incident.
What Next for India-Pakistan Cricket?
The WCL incident raises larger questions about the future of India-Pakistan sporting ties. With increasing pressure from political and civil society groups, and given the heightened nationalist sentiment after terror attacks, any sporting event involving the two nations — even at a retired or exhibition level — is likely to face resistance. WCL 2025 India vs Pakistan match cancelled
Whether ICC events like the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan will go ahead with Indian participation remains to be seen. WCL 2025 India vs Pakistan match cancelled
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