'Public Sentiments Must Be Respected': Organisers Cancel India vs Pakistan WCL 2025 Semi-final

The World Championship of Legends semi-final match between the India Champions and the Pakistan Champions was called off by the organisers after Team India refused to play the match. The match was scheduled to be played in Birmingham on Thursday. With India deciding to pull out, Pakistan advanced to the finals of the tournament.

WEarlier on Thursday, Indian sponsor EaseMyTrip has pulled out of the India-Pakistan semi-final of the World Championship of Legends, citing terror concerns. In a public statement, the company's founder has said that terror and cricket cannot go hand in hand.

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WCL 2025: India Champions Refuse To Play Against Pakistan Champions In Semi-Final, Pull Out For 2nd Time In Tournament

Organisers on cancellation of India vs Pakistan Match

In a statement released by the WCL, the organisers showed respect towards India's decision to withdraw from the semi-final and acknowledged Pakistan’s willingness to play, confirming that the match had been called off and Pakistan Champions would progress to the final.

The statement read: “At WCL, we have always believed in the power of sport to inspire and bring about positive change in the world. However, public sentiment must always be respected - after all, everything we do is for our audience. We respect the India Champions' decision to withdraw from the semi-finals, and we equally respect the Pakistan Champions' readiness to compete. Taking all factors into consideration, the match between the India Champions and the Pakistan Champions has been called off. As a result, Pakistan Champions will advance to the final.”

WCL 2025: Yusuf Pathan Hugs & Kisses Kids In Celebration After Helping India Champions Beat West Indies Champions And Qualify For Semi-Final; Video

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Why did India refuse to play Pakistan in WCL 2025?

India's refusal to play Pakistan in WCL 2025 is due to strained political relations between the two countries due to the Pahalgam incident. A similar incident had happened On July 20 during the group stage of the tournament when India Champions team, which includes players such as Yuvraj Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla, Yusuf Pathan and Robin Uthappa, had also refused to play their group match against the Pakistan Champions

Who will be pakistan's opponent in the final?

With India deciding to withdraw from teh tourbnament, Pakistan Champions will play the winner of the second semi-final between Australia Champions and South Africa Champions.