BIRMINGHAM: The India Champions on Wednesday refused to play their semi-final fixture against Pakistan Champions in the ongoing World Championship of Legends, citing political tensions between the two South Asian neighbours, Indian media reported.

As a result, Pakistan Champions have progressed directly to the final, where they will face the winner of the second semi-final between Australia Champions and South Africa Champions.

The semi-final was scheduled to take place in Birmingham on Thursday, but the Indian side, comprising former international cricketers including Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla, Yusuf Pathan, and Robin Uthappa, opted to forgo the encounter.

This is the second time in the tournament that India Champions have refused to take the field against their Pakistani counterparts. The two sides were originally due to meet in a group stage match on July 20, which also did not take place due to India’s withdrawal. On that occasion, both teams were awarded one point each.

Despite the earlier forfeit, Pakistan Champions finished atop the group standings with nine points, while India Champions managed only three, placing fourth. With the latest refusal, the Pakistani side has advanced by default to the tournament’s final.

The development comes against the backdrop of strained India-Pakistan ties, which have worsened following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Indian Occupied Kashmir in April, and the subsequent military exchange along the Line of Control.

Although the two countries’ senior national teams have not faced off since the escalation, they are scheduled to meet in the upcoming Asia Cup in the UAE on September 14.

The women’s sides are also set to play each other in the ICC World Cup in Colombo on October 6.

Sporting exchanges between India and Pakistan have frequently fallen victim to diplomatic breakdowns, with cricket often becoming a casualty of geopolitics.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2025