WCL 2025: India Champions Semi-Final Against Pakistan Called Off

WCL 2025: The tournament organisers announced the decision via an official statement on their social media platform X (formerly Twitter), recognising the delicate nature of the situation and the prevailing public sentiment around the match

Harbhajan Singh India Champions World Championship of Legends 2025 X
India Champions Vs England Champions, WCL 2025: Harbhajan Singh in action at the World Championship of Legends 2025. | Photo: X/India_Champions
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The World Championship of Legends (WCL) semi-final between India Champions and Pakistan Champions has been officially called off, with the latter advancing to the final by default.

The tournament’s organisers confirmed the development through an official statement posted on their social media platform X (formerly Twitter), acknowledging the sensitive situation and the public sentiment surrounding the fixture.

"At WCL, we have always believed in the power of sport to inspire and bring about positive change in the world," the post read.

"However, public sentiment must always be respected – after all, everything we do is for our audience. We respect the India Champions’ decision to withdraw from the semi-finals, and we equally respect the Pakistan Champions’ readiness to compete. Taking all factors into consideration, the match between the India Champions and the Pakistan Champions has been called off. As a result, Pakistan Champions will advance to the final."

The match was scheduled to take place on Thursday in Birmingham but was scrapped after India Champions declined to participate due to the ongoing strained political relations between India and Pakistan.

The team, featuring former stars like Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Robin Uthappa, and Yusuf Pathan, had earlier refused to play their group-stage match against the same opponents on July 20. On that occasion, the points were shared.

Pakistan Champions, who topped the group stage with nine points, progressed to the final following India Champions’ withdrawal. India had finished fourth in the standings with just three points.

The strained diplomatic climate between the two countries has intensified since the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, in April this year, followed by a military skirmish. These developments have had a ripple effect on cricketing ties as well, with India and Pakistan not facing off in any format since then.

However, both men's and women’s national teams are scheduled to meet in upcoming major tournaments — the Asia Cup clash on September 14 in the UAE and the Women's ODI World Cup match on October 6 in Colombo.

In a gesture towards disappointed fans, the WCL organisers have confirmed a 50% refund on tickets purchased for the now-cancelled semi-final.

Pakistan Champions will now await the winner of the second semi-final between Australia Champions and South Africa Champions as they prepare for the title clash.

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