India Champions Boycott Pakistan Semi-Final in WCL 2025 Amid Diplomatic Tensions

World Championship of Legends 2025 thrown into controversy as India refuses to play Pakistan in crucial semi-final clash.

The World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 has been rocked by a major controversy as India Champions have officially boycotted their semi-final match against Pakistan Champions, leading to Pakistan’s direct advancement to the final.

Key Developments

The Indian team officially withdrew from the tournament after players refused to play the semifinal game against Pakistan, with the ECB being conveyed about the decision. This marks the second time in the tournament that India has pulled out of a match against Pakistan.

Reason Behind the Boycott

Captain Shikhar Dhawan issued a statement citing the “current geopolitical situation and prevailing tensions” as the reason for pulling out. This follows their earlier boycott of the group-stage tie because of a recent attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir.

Impact on Tournament Structure

With India’s withdrawal:

• Pakistan Champions advance directly to the WCL 2025 final
• The final is scheduled for August 2, where Pakistan will face the winner of Australia Legends vs South Africa Legends
• The semi-final slot originally scheduled for July 31 has been forfeited

Sponsor Reactions

Indian sponsor EaseMyTrip has also opted out of the India-Pakistan semi-final clash, pulling their support hours after India assured their semi-final spot.

Tournament Context

The World Championship of Legends 2025 features veteran cricketers from major cricket-playing nations competing in England. India Champions, led by former stars, had successfully qualified for the semi-finals before making this controversial decision.

What’s Next?

• Pakistan Champions await their final opponent
• Australia vs South Africa semi-final to determine Pakistan’s final opponent
• WCL 2025 Final scheduled for August 2, 2025

This development has sparked widespread debate in the cricket community, with fans and analysts divided over the decision to prioritize diplomatic tensions over sporting competition.