Follow UsSeveral India players have refused to play Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025. The match was due to be held on July 20 (Sunday), but it has now been called off. Some of the Indian players participating in the tournament include Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan and others. The match between the neighbours was to be played in Birmingham.
The Indian players were not comfortable playing against their arch-rivals following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.
However, since then, India and Pakistan have engaged in a volleyball match, and furthermore it was announced that the Pakistan hockey team would be visiting India later this year.
"We at WCL have always cherished and loved cricket, and our only aim has been to give fans some good, happy moments," a statement from the WCL said.
"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.
"More than that, we unintentionally caused discomfort to our Indian Cricket Legends, who have brought so much glory to the country, and we ended up affecting the brands who supported us purely out of love for the game.
"Hence, we have decided to call off the India vs Pakistan match."
As a result, India's first match of the competition will be against South Africa on July 22 (Tuesday) in Northampton.