Many India Players refused to play Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends Tournament resulting in the match being called-off
July-20, 2025: Shikhar Dhawan was among several players who reportedly refused to play against Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends tournament.
- Championship of Legends was cancelled due to player withdrawals
- Shikhar Dhawan refused to play against Pakistan, citing geopolitical tensions
- Other former Indian players like Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Yusuf Pathan also reportedly pulled out
The match was scheduled to take place today, Sunday July-20 in Birmingham (England) before being called off.
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The decision was then announced by the organisers on Social Media. Earlier, Dhawan had on Social media shared the letter he wrote to the organisers about his decision not to play against Pakistan in the tournament.
Just to jog one’s memory, India Pakistan have not been playing bilateral cricket for over a decade now, but they do square-off every now and then multi-team events organised by the International Cricket Council and Asian Cricket Council.
With the WCL being a private competition, however, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) neither controls the league nor its players.
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“The event organisers of WCL have confirmed that tomorrow’s match between India and Pakistan (Sunday 20th July at 16.30) has been cancelled.
“Please do not attend as the stadium will be closed. All ticket holders will receive a full refund, please see below for further details,” the official X account of Edgbaston Stadium announced.
The event organisers of WCL have confirmed that tomorrow’s match between India and Pakistan (Sunday 20th July at 16.30) has been cancelled. Please do not attend as the stadium will be closed.
— Edgbaston Stadium (@Edgbaston) July 19, 2025
All ticket holders will receive a full refund, please see below for further details. pic.twitter.com/q5A0DOg356
Taking to social media, Dhawan confirmed his stance on the eve of the contest He said: “Jo Kadam 11 May ko liya, uspe aaj bhi waise hi khada hoon. Mera desh mere liye sab kuch hai, aur desh see badhkar aur kuch nahi hota. (The decision I took on 11 May, I still stand by it. My country is everything to me, and nothing is greater than the country).”
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.
Jai Hind!
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.
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) July 19, 2025
Jai Hind! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/gLCwEXcrnR
As per a report in RevSportz report, other former India players like Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Yufus Pathan also pulled out of the match against Pakistan.
It isn’t yet clear what decision the organisers would take if India and Pakistan reach the final of the tournament.
