A veterans’ cricket match involving India and Pakistan within the World Championship of Legends right here on Sunday has been cancelled after Indian gamers, together with Shikhar Dhawan, refused to be part of it, citing the Pahalgam terror assault in April.
The second version of the match began on June 18 at Edgbaston and is scheduled for an August 2 last. World Cup winner Yuvraj Singh is the captain of the India Legends, whereas the squad additionally options the likes of Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa and Varun Aaron amongst others.
The WCL organisers shared a press release on their X account, detailing the choice to cancel and stated their intention whereas conducting the match was to recreate some “pleased reminiscences.”
“After listening to the information that the Pakistan hockey group can be coming to India this yr, and seeing the current India vs Pakistan volleyball match together with a number of different fixtures between the 2 nations in numerous sports activities, we considered persevering with with the India vs Pakistan match at WCL, simply to create some pleased reminiscences for folks across the globe.
“However perhaps within the course of, we ended up hurting the emotions of many and stirring feelings,” the WCL assertion learn.
The organisers additionally apologised for “unintentionally inflicting discomfort” to Indian legends.
“Therefore, we’ve determined to name off the India-Pakistan match. We sincerely apologise once more for hurting the feelings and hope folks will perceive that every one we ever needed was to carry a number of pleased moments to the followers,” it learn.
Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan additionally shared a press release on X, saying his stand to not take part within the match towards Pakistan.
“That is to formally reiterate and make sure that Mr. Shikhar Dhawan is not going to be collaborating in any matches towards the Pakistan group within the upcoming WCL League. This determination was communicated earlier throughout our dialogue on name and WhatsApp dated eleventh Could 2025,” learn his assertion.
Dhawan made it clear that he has taken the decision given the present “geopolitical” state of affairs between India and Pakistan within the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror assault and the following Operation Sindoor carried out by the nation.
“In view of the present geopolitical state of affairs and the prevailing tensions between India and Pakistan, Mr. Dhawan and his group have taken this place after due consideration.
“We respectfully request the league’s understanding and cooperation on this matter,” he stated within the assertion.
India had defeated Pakistan by 5 wickets to win the inaugural version of the six-team legends match final yr in Edgbaston.