India vs Pakistan WCL 2025 Semifinal Cancelled! Pakistan Reaches Final Without Playing

Shahid Afridi Dream Final: In a dramatic turn of events, the highly-anticipated India vs Pakistan semi-final in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 has been officially called off, after India Champions refused to take the field against Pakistan Champions. The decision was taken in response to the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, which has left the nation mourning and the players unwilling to engage in any form of sporting activity with Pakistan.

As a result, Pakistan Champions have advanced to the WCL 2025 final, marking their second consecutive final appearance. In the 2024 edition of the WCL, Pakistan had reached the final but were defeated by India Champions.

India Pulls Out Over National Sentiment

The match was originally scheduled to be played on Thursday at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham, but tensions rose when several senior Indian players, including Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Shikhar Dhawan, and Suresh Raina, expressed their unwillingness to participate.

The Indian players stood united in boycotting the clash, reflecting the sentiment back home after the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed innocent lives. The players’ refusal was not only a show of respect to those affected but also a powerful statement that “cricket and terrorism cannot go hand-in-hand.”

WCL Organizers Respond

In an official statement, the WCL organisers acknowledged India’s decision:

“At WCL, we have always believed in the power of sport to inspire and bring about positive change in the world. However, public sentiment must always be respected – after all, everything we do is for our audience. We respect the India Champions’ decision to withdraw from the semi-finals, and we equally respect the Pakistan Champions’ readiness to compete. Taking all factors into consideration, the match has been called off. Pakistan Champions will advance to the final.”

This was not the first time in the tournament India chose not to face Pakistan. A similar boycott occurred during the group stage, forcing organisers to cancel that league match as well.

India’s Journey in WCL 2025

Despite a slow start to their campaign, the India Champions had made a strong comeback, clinching a semi-final berth after thrashing West Indies Champions in just 13.2 overs. That dominant win lifted them to fourth place on the points table, securing their place in the knockouts.

However, their WCL journey came to an abrupt end not on the field but due to a larger national issue that transcended cricket.

Shahid Afridi Team Pakistan Through to the Final

Led by Mohammad Hafeez, the Pakistan Champions topped the group stage table with four wins in five matches, showcasing consistent form and strong team coordination. While they had hoped to take on India in a high-voltage semi-final clash, they now progress to the WCL 2025 final without contest.

Also Known:
1. India vs Pakistan Confirmed In WCL Semifinal After Heroic Win Over West Indies

Public Reaction: Nation Backs the Players

From fans to former cricketers and political figures, there has been widespread support for the Indian legends’ decision to opt out. Many lauded their patriotic stand, emphasizing that sports must not come at the cost of national values and the pain of fellow citizens.