In a dramatic turn of events at the World Championships of Legends, the highly anticipated semifinal clash between the India Champions and Pakistan Champions has been called off. The decision came after the Indian side refused to take the field against their Pakistani counterparts, citing political tensions and public sentiment in the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror attack.
The tournament’s organisers confirmed the development on Thursday, stating that the India Champions officially communicated their withdrawal from the match, leaving the Pakistani team to advance by default.
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This is not the first time the Indian team has forfeited a match in the tournament. They had earlier opted out of their group-stage fixture against Pakistan as a protest against what they described as Pakistan’s continued support for terrorism.
Led by former India international Shikhar Dhawan, the India Champions include prominent retired players such as Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan, and Yousuf Pathan. All reportedly stood united in the decision to boycott the match. The players and management were said to be under immense pressure from fans and civil society groups back home, with emotions running high following the recent terror incident in Pahalgam.
India had earned their place in the semifinal by defeating the West Indies Champions in a convincing performance. However, the political situation and emotional climate back home ultimately overshadowed the cricketing narrative, leading to their withdrawal from the tournament’s penultimate stage.
The organisers expressed disappointment over the cancellation but acknowledged the sensitivity of the matter. “While sports has the power to unite, we respect the decision taken by the India Champions and the sentiments of their nation,” a statement read.
With India out, Pakistan Champions will now progress to the final, awaiting the winner of the other semifinal clash.