NEW DELHI: Sources from the World Champions of Legends (WCL) on Monday informed that the organisers had communicated to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) that they were unable to host the match, clarifying that the Indian team bore no responsibility for the cancellation. Ahead of the much-anticipated clash, the WCL released an official statement confirming that the India-Pakistan fixture at Edgbaston, Birmingham had been called off. Multiple reports indicated that several former Indian players had declined to participate in the match.The refusal by Indian players to face Pakistan stems from the tragic terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam on April 22. Following the incident, diplomatic ties between India and Pakistan deteriorated further.According to WCL sources, the Pakistan Champions team is unwilling to share points with their rivals, India Champions, asserting that the match was abandoned due to the Indian side’s withdrawal.Speaking about the development, WCL sources told ANI, “WCL have conveyed to England and Wales Cricket Board that they, as organisers, were not able to conduct this match. The India Champions team are not at fault. Pakistan Champions team are not willing to share points because they are saying that it is India who backed out, not them.”
Several Indian cricketers, including Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan, confirmed to the media that they would not be taking part in the India-Pakistan game. Sources added that other members of the India squad had also taken a similar stance.Shikhar Dhawan, in a post on X, shared an email sent to the tournament organisers, stating that the decision to opt out of the match against Pakistan had been communicated on May 11. The email cited the prevailing geo-political circumstances as the basis for the decision.In his post, Dhawan said, “Jo kadam 11 May ko liya, uspe aaj bhi waise hi khada hoon. Mera desh mere liye sab kuch hai, aur desh se badhkar kuch nahi hota. (I stand by the decision I took on May 11. My country is everything for me and nothing is bigger than the country)”In the previous edition of the WCL, the India Champions had defeated Pakistan in the final, securing a five-wicket win. Chasing 157, India delivered a dominant batting performance to clinch the title.
