Few Indian players are expected to pull of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 match against Pakistan scheduled to take place on July 20 at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Sports Tak has learnt that two to three promiment players are highly unlikely to feature in the game.
Meanwhile, the organisers have decided to keep Shahid Afridi, who was originally part of the Pakistan team, away from the tournament. Afridi has recently made many political remarks over India and Indians amidst rising tensions between the two countries.
Pakistani players’ participation in WCL was always in doubt following the Pahalgam attack and the Operation Sindoor that India later launched against Pakistan.
However, the recent developments over possibility of this year’s T20 Asia Cup allowed the WCL organisers to go ahead with the participation of Pakistani players.
In Afridi's absence, Mohammad Hafeez is leading Pakistan Champions. They won their tournament opener against hosts England on July 18 by five runs.
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India's squad for WCL 2025
Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Yuvraj Singh (c), Yusuf Pathan, Stuart Binny, Irfan Pathan, Robin Uthappa (wk), Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla, Vinay Kumar, Siddarth Kaul, Abhimanyu Mithun, Varun Aaron.
Pakistan's squad for WCL 2025
Sohaib Maqsood, Misbah-ul-Haq, Asif Ali, Sharjeel Khan, Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Aamer Yamin, Sohail Tanvir, Aamer Yamin, Sohail Tanvir, Sohail Khan, Wahab Riaz, Saeed Ajmal.
India beat Pakistan in WCL 2024 final
In the previous edition, Yuvraj Singh-led India beat Pakistan at the same venue by five wickets to claim the title. Ambati Rayudu starred with a 30-ball 50 in the run chase of 157.