Birmingham: The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash at the ongoing World Championship of Legends (WCL) has officially been called off, following strong objections from Indian players and a principal tournament sponsor.
The decision was announced by the tournament organisers, who issued a formal apology for “hurting sentiments” and “causing discomfort” to the Indian legends.
In a statement, WCL organisers said the India-Pakistan fixture was scheduled in the spirit of fostering goodwill, taking inspiration from a recent friendly volleyball match between the two nations. However, they acknowledged that the move backfired, creating discomfort among Indian players and sparking widespread backlash.
“The fixture was planned to create happy memories for fans,” the statement read. “But we understand that it may have caused unease to the Indian legends and fans. We sincerely apologise for hurting sentiments and have decided to cancel the match.”
The cancellation follows public declarations from former India cricketers, including Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan, who stated they would not participate in the match.
In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Dhawan shared an email he had sent to WCL organisers on May 11, clearly stating his unwillingness to play against Pakistan. “Jo kadam 11 May ko liya, uspe aaj bhi waise hi khada hoon. Mera desh mere liye sab kuch hai, aur desh se badhkar kuch nahi hota (I stand by the decision I made on May 11. My country is everything for me, and nothing is greater than the nation,” Dhawan wrote.
Sources suggest other Indian players have also privately communicated their decision to skip the Pakistan fixture. IANS
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