In a surprising development leading up to the highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan at the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025, a number of former Indian cricketers have reportedly decided to withdraw from the fixture. This decision comes amidst significant public outcry on social media. Sports Tak has learnt that India Champions' Harbhajan Singh, Yusuf Pathan, and Shikhar Dhawan are likely to opt out of the game against Pakistan Champions. This response follows the widespread anger and condemnation after the Pahalgam terror attack where 26 civilians tragically lost their lives earlier on April 22. In response to this attack, India reportedly launched a military operation named Operation Sindoor, which targeted several terrorist base camps located across the border in Pakistan.
Given the heightened tensions, these three Indian players have chosen to withdraw from the upcoming match on moral grounds. Few more Indian players are also expected to join Harbhajan, Yusuf and Shikhar in boycotting the Pakistan match.
Notably, the match between India Champions and Pakistan Champions is scheduled to be played on July 20 at Edgbaston.
The organisers have also decided to keep Shahid Afridi, who was originally part of the Pakistan team, away from the tournament. Afiridi recently made many political remarks over India and Indians, and the organisers intentionally decided to keep him out of the WCL. 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 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. Pakistan have begun their campaign on a winning note as they defeated England by five runs in their tournament opener.
Notably, India Champions and Pakistan Champions met each other in the WCL final in 2024 where Men in Blue thrashed the Men in Green to lift the trophy.
India Champions' 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.
India Champions' 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.