A World Championship of Legends game between India and Pakistan was called off earlier today, after five veteran Indian players, including Shikhar Dhawan, boycotted the game. The game was supposed to be played in Birmingham on Sunday, as part of the tournament involving former players from six countries, including South Africa, England, Australia, and West Indies, besides Pakistan and India.
The decision, they said, stemmed from the “current geopolitical situation and prevailing tensions” between the two nations. Dhawan took to his X account and posted a screenshot, confirming his withdrawal from the game, which was supposed to be India’s opening fixture in the tournament.
“This is to formally reiterate that Mr. Shikhar Dhawan will not be participating in any matches against the Pakistan team in the upcoming WCL League. This discussion was communicated earlier during our discussion on call and WhatsApp dated 11th May 2025.”
“In view of our current geopolitical situation and 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.”
Both the cricket-mad nations have largely avoided playing against each other bilaterally, having last played a white-ball series in 2013. However, the teams have since met several times in multi-national tournaments. That trend, too, might end now with the recent military standoff between the two countries, which, once again, got the tension running high. This also led the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL) to suffer a temporary suspension in May earlier this year.
The organizers of the WCL said the decision to schedule a match between the two teams was made after observing what seemed like a sporting thaw, after a recent volleyball game between the Pakistan and India U-16 teams successfully completed, as well as the news of the Pakistan hockey team’s planned tour of India. However, they cancelled the game in good faith, if it had “unintentionally caused discomfort to our Indian Cricket Legends.”
The owner of Pakistan Champions, Kamil Khan, issued a statement after the cancellation of the game and expressed his disappointment on behalf of the team.
“On behalf of Pakistan Champions, we express our deep disappointment over WCL’s decision to call off the match against India. This decision not only undermines the spirit of the game but has let down cricket fans across the globe,” the statement read.
“We believe cricket should rise above and transcend political differences. Sport has the unique power to unite, and our participation in this tournament is rooted in a commitment to peace, positivity, and the genuine spirit of the game.”
Each team in the tournament has to play one game against the other five, across four venues, including Birmingham, Northampton, Leicester, and Leeds. Pakistan are already off the mark with their win against England Champions, led by Eoin Morgan. It remains to be seen what contingency plan the organizer will come up with in case both teams are drawn together in any of the knockout games. Pakistan and India are drawn together in any of the knockout games.
