The India vs Pakistan World Championships of Legend 2025 game, scheduled for 20th July at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham, has been called off by the organisers. In a statement released late Saturday night, the WCL said by organising the match, they may have ended up hurting the feelings of many and stirring emotions.
Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan, who is part of the tournament and was slated to play the India vs Pakistan fixture, also took to social media to clarify his stand. In a tweet and Instagram story late Saturday night, a statement from Dhawan’s handle read, “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.
In view of the current geopolitical situation and the prevailing tensions between India and Pakistan, Mr. Dhawan and his team have taken this position after due consideration. We respectfully request the league’s understanding and cooperation on this matter."
Harbhajan Singh, Irgan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan Pull Out
Earlier, Harbhajan Singh, Ifran Pathan and Yusuf Pathan withdrew their names from the upcoming World Championship of Legends (WCL) game against Pakistan after facing severe public backlash. Multiple reports suggest that he has made the decision considering the sour political relations between the country after the Pahalgam attack.
The Indian team set to feature in WCL also features Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, Stuart Binny, Varun Aaron, and Vinay Kumar, among other retired Indian cricketers.
Organisers Apologise for Hurting Sentiments
As for the organisers, in their official statement regarding the call-off, they stated their aim was to give fans some good, happy moments and that they went ahead with this fixture, seeing the recent India vs Pakistan volleyball match along with a few other fixtures between the two nations in different sports.
“We at WCL have always cherished and loved cricket, and our only aim has been to give fans some good, happy moments. 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," read their statement.
What is WCL and who owns it?
The World Championship of Legends is a private league that is sanctioned by the England and Wales Cricket Board. Six teams from India, Pakistan, the West Indies, South Africa, England, and Australia are competing in it.
The league is co-owned by rapper and artist Harshit Tomar and Bollywood star Ajay Devgan. The league’s website mentions Tomar as the CEO, while both have been seen together in promotional events.
Source: News18