The league-stage fixture had to be called off after multiple Indian stars pulled out of the game.
The India versus Pakistan league-stage fixture at the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 had to be called off earlier this month after multiple Indian stars pulled out of the game.
Indian players’ decision to boycott the match against Pakistan stemmed from the heinous Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. Following the attack, the relationship between two nations hit a new low.
The bitter rivals are once again poised to meet in the WCL as they have drawn in the semi-finals of the tournament. With the knockout fixture scheduled to take place on July 31, the calls for ‘boycott’ have resurfaced.
Amid the outrage, former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi has taken a jibe at the India Champions side as the semi-final clash involving the two teams appears all but called off.
Speaking at a local restaurant in Birmingham, Afridi questioned India’s intent to face Pakistan, especially after the Yuvraj Singh-led side had refused to play them earlier in the tournament.
"Pata nahi India kis muh se khelega magar khelega humare sath hi (Don't know with what face India will play, but they'll end up playing with us only)," Afridi can be heard saying in the viral clip.
The WCL organisers are yet to issue an official statement on whether the semi-final will go ahead as scheduled. For now, the match remains in limbo.
Meanwhile, several reports are claiming that Indian players have expressed their unwillingness to play against Pakistan in the WCL 2025 semifinal, citing the nation's stand against any bilateral sporting ties with the neighbouring country after the Pahalgam terror attack.
Earlier in the league-stage, former India opener Shikhar Dhawan took to social media and announced his decision to pull out of the match against Pakistan. “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,” Dhawan wrote on X.
India Champions qualified for the semis by finishing fourth in the six-team competition, winning their last group game against West Indies Champions. Pakistan Champions, on the other hand, finished at the top.