Edgbaston, UK (OT Webdesk)— The much-anticipated legends cricket faceoff between India and Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) has been officially called off after prominent Indian players chose to boycott the match.
The cancellation follows the recent Pahalgam terror attack and escalating Indo-Pak tensions.
Veterans Shikhar Dhawan, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa, and Varun Aaron opted out in protest, expressing solidarity with public sentiment against cross-border terrorism.
The second edition of the WCL, which began on June 18, had pegged the India-Pakistan encounter as one of its prime attractions.
Organisers released a statement admitting the decision “unintentionally caused discomfort,” emphasising their intent to promote goodwill and nostalgia. Dhawan also confirmed that his withdrawal was communicated well in advance, citing “geopolitical sensitivities.”
The boycott reflects broader concerns following India’s military response under Operation Sindoor and rising public demands for accountability.
India previously defeated Pakistan in the final of WCL’s inaugural edition last year.
The WCL continues with its remaining fixtures, but the India-Pakistan clash—once touted as the tournament’s highlight—now stands as a stark reminder of real-world events overshadowing sportsmanship
