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The World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 witnessed an unprecedented controversy after the scheduled high-profile clash between India Champions and Pakistan Champions was called off. The Indian players withdrew from the match, citing ongoing political tensions between the two nations, leading to a cancellation that has left the tournament organizers and fans in turmoil. While the WCL organizers clarified that the Indian team was not at fault for the cancellation, the Pakistan Champions have refused to share the points, insisting that full credit should be awarded to them. This standoff has sparked fresh controversy and strategic complications for the tournament’s progression.
India’s pullout causes a stir in WCL 2025 as Pakistan refuses points sharing
The match, set to be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham, was anticipated as one of the marquee showdowns of WCL 2025. However, due to strained India-Pakistan relations following the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent military operations, several veteran Indian cricketers including Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina took a stand by refusing to participate. Dhawan explicitly stated his decision was firm, emphasizing loyalty to his country amid the geopolitical backdrop. Other prominent Indian players echoed this sentiment, leading to the entire India Champions squad withdrawing from the fixture.
WCL officials stepped in to manage the fallout, informing the England and Wales Cricket Board that the cancellation was due to circumstances beyond the Indian team’s control. Yet despite this, the Pakistan Champions camp remains steadfast, asserting that India “backed out” and thus refusing to share the points. According to WCL sources, Pakistan insists that the two points from the abandoned encounter rightfully belong to them — a position that directly contradicts the organizers’ initial intentions to split points between the teams.
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Tournament dynamics, scheduling, points, and potential face-offs
This dispute does not only impact the points table but also complicates the tournament’s future clashes. Currently, Pakistan tops the WCL 2025 points standings with three points from two games, while India lags at fourth with a single point. If Pakistan’s claim to the full two points from this abandoned match holds, it could significantly strengthen their qualification hopes. Conversely, India could be at risk of elimination if they fail to secure enough points in upcoming matches.
Adding to the intrigue, Pakistan’s owner Kamil Khan announced his team’s intent to avoid playing India in the semi-finals, should both teams qualify, highlighting attempts to navigate the politically charged atmosphere within the competitive framework. The tournament organizers may need to enforce similar measures to prevent any direct India-Pakistan encounters during knockouts, which could otherwise reignite tensions or lead to further withdrawals.
Both teams are set to face South Africa Champions next, with India opening their tournament campaign on July 22 and Pakistan playing on July 25. How the organizers will manage points distribution and any future India-Pakistan matches—especially if they meet in the semi-final or the final—remains to be seen and will undoubtedly require delicate negotiation to preserve the spirit of competition.
