India vs Pakistan WCL semifinal cancelled: India Champions withdraw from WCL semifinal after players refuse to face Pakistan, handing final spot to Pakistan Legends

The semifinal of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025, scheduled for July 31 at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham, has been officially called off following Indian players' refusal to play against Pakistan. India’s decision not to participate in the fixture effectively eliminates the defending champions from the tournament, allowing the Pakistan Champions to advance directly to the final.

Sources close to Sports Tak revealed that the Indian team has officially withdrawn from the tournament. The ECB is being informed about the Indian team forfeiting the game, which would mean that Pakistan progresses to the final of the WCL.

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This is the second time that Indian players have refused to play against Pakistan in the ongoing edition of the WCL 2025. Earlier, India and Pakistan were scheduled to face each other in the group stage clash, but that clash was also called off after Indian players refused to play against Pakistan after growing demands from fans to not have any sporting relations with Pakistan in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor.

Earlier, EaseMyTrip co-founder Nishant Pitti announced that the company will not be associated with the India vs Pakistan semi-final match of the tournament. However, Pitti said that one of the sponsors - EaseMyTrip - will play no part in the match as they feel that “terror and cricket cannot go hand in hand."

"We applaud Team India @India_Champions for their outstanding performance in the World Championship of Champions, you've made the nation proud. However, the upcoming semi-final against Pakistan is not just another game, Terror and cricket cannot go hand in hand. @EaseMyTrip , we stand with India. We cannot support any event that attempts to normalise relations with a country that promotes terrorism. The people of India have spoken and we hear them," Pitti posted. "EaseMyTrip will not be associated with the India vs Pakistan match in WCL. Some things are bigger than sport. Nation first business later Always," the social media post added.

India Champions sealed their berth for the WCL 2025 semifinal of the ongoing World Championship of Legends after registering a dominating win against West Indies Champions in just 13.2 overs in their last group match.