The organisers eventually cancelled the match. In a statement, they added that the match had only been arranged after the Pakistan hockey team was scheduled to tour India.
India vs Pakistan encounter in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 was scrapped following public uproar over the Pahalgam terror attack. The encounter was scheduled for Sunday, July 20, at Edgbaston, Birmingham. With public criticism widespread and a few Indian cricketers pulling out, organisers called off the game.
Despite the row, Pakistan Champions will stay in the tournament, with their owner assuring that the event would proceed as planned. Though two points have been awarded to Pakistan for the called-off match, organisers are seeking to steer clear of an India-Pakistan semi-final. The final, scheduled on August 2, might compel another tough choice if the two teams make it there.
Indian former cricketers like Shikhar Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, and Suresh Raina declined to play the Pakistan match. Dhawan stated that he might have communicated his refusal on May 11 to the organisers. Public outcry following the Pahalgam terror attack further fueled the flames.
Social networking sites were filled with protests against Indian players playing the game. The organisers eventually cancelled the match. In a statement, they added that the match had only been arranged after the Pakistan hockey team was scheduled to tour India.
There was doubt regarding Pakistan's participation in the T20 tournament after the cancellation. But team owner Kamil Khan ended all speculations. He confirmed that the team would carry on. "All the remaining matches are being held. The tournament is ongoing according to schedule, and there are no changes," he informed GeoNews.
Khan further stated that Pakistan Champions would be awarded two points as the match was cancelled. "We are entitled to have those points according to the regulations," he further said.
Kamil Khan was speaking on the issue of a potential India-Pakistan semi-final. According to him, the organisers would "avoid" the encounter if both teams reach the knockout stage. "If we qualify for the semifinals, there will be four teams, and we will avoid matches between the two teams," he said.
When asked about a potential final between India and Pakistan, Khan remained cautious. “If we reach the final, then the decisions regarding that will be made then,” he said.
The WCL 2025 commenced last week with the opening game between Pakistan Champions and England Champions. India Champions were the champions of the first edition of the T20 tournament, defeating Pakistan in the final.
To date, the tournament will continue, but the political tensions have evidently compelled changes. The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry will be postponed until tranquil times.
