KARACHI: The World Championship of Legends (WCL) veteran clash between India and Pakistan was called off after Indian players, including former opener Shikhar Dhawan, refused to participate, citing ongoing geopolitical tensions between the two countries.

The WCL — a T20 league for retired and non-contracted international cricketers — is currently underway in England, with matches taking place across Birmingham, Northampton, Leeds, and Leicester. The tournament began on July 18 and is scheduled to run till August 2, featuring teams from England, India, Pakistan, Australia, the West Indies, and South Africa.

“We have decided to call off the India vs Pakistan match,” WCL organisers said in a statement posted on X, stating that the fixture had been planned in the spirit of recent positive developments between the two nations.

They pointed to a recent volleyball encounter between India and Pakistan and speculation around the Pakistan hockey team’s potential tour to India as signs of thawing relations.

However, those hopes were quickly dashed as Indian veterans, led by Dhawan, pulled out of the match. Dhawan posted a screenshot of an email confirming his withdrawal. A tournament sponsor, an Indian travel company, also distanced itself from any WCL match involving Pakistan, further escalating the situation.

The organisers cited the “current geopolitical situation and prevailing tensions” as the reason for the cancellation, apologising for “hurting sentiments” and the discomfort caused to Indian players by scheduling the game.

The cancelled fixture would have been the first between the two sides in the tournament. Pakistan’s team is being captained by Mohammad Hafeez, while Yuvraj Singh is leading the Indian contingent.

In the wake of the decision, Pakistan Champions — the country’s outfit in the tournament — issued a strongly worded statement expressing “deep disappointment” at WCL’s move.

“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,” read the statement by team owner Kamil Khan.

The team lamented the politicisation of sport, asserting that cricket should “rise above and transcend political differences.”

It described sport as a unifying force and reiterated that Pakistan’s participation in the tournament was “rooted in a commitment to peace, positivity and the genuine spirit of the game”.

Despite the setback, Pakistan Champions vowed to carry on with “the same passion, discipline and professionalism,” reaffirming their dedication to representing the country with “honour and integrity”.

While extending appreciation to the tournament organisers for their efforts in a “difficult position,” the franchise maintained that the cancellation marked a blow to the tournament’s credibility and fan expectations worldwide.

The decision drew sharp criticism from Pakistan’s political leadership. senator Sherry Rehman slammed Indian players for following what she described as a “Modi-worshipping mindset”, accusing them of turning sport into a vehicle for hatred.

“Indian cricketers, following in Modi’s footsteps by refusing to play against Pakistan, have turned sports into hatred,” she posted on X. “Defeat on the battlefield, failure in diplomacy, and now fleeing from sports — India faces embarrassment on every front.”

The cancellation comes amid heightened tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours following the April 22 Pahalgam attack in India-occupied Kashmir.

New Delhi accused Islamabad of orchestrating the attack — an allegation Pakistan has categorically denied. The fallout resulted in a four-day military standoff, described as one of the most serious escalations in recent decades.

In the wake of the conflict, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir had publicly demanded a complete boycott of cricketing ties with Pakistan. There was even speculation about India pulling out of the upcoming Asia Cup, though the arch-rivals are still expected to face off in September’s tournament.

On Saturday, Pakistan defeated India in the semi-final of the Asian men’s U-16 Volleyball Championship in Thailand, fueling optimism about continued sporting engagements — optimism that now appears to have been misplaced.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2025