India vs Pakistan WCL match called off

The match was originally scheduled for Sunday night in Birmingham, but it has been called off after several former Indian cricketers — including Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Shikhar Dhawan — refused to take part in the fixture.

Read More

Dukes ball under fire after Lord’s Test

22 hrs ago

This decision comes in the wake of Operation Sindoor, an Indian military response to the Pahalgam terror attack, and marks the first major sports-related repercussion following the incident.

In a statement, the WCL organisers explained their intent behind scheduling the match:

“With recent sporting encounters between India and Pakistan in hockey and volleyball, we believed hosting the match could create joyful moments for fans worldwide. However, it unintentionally caused distress to many and discomfort to Indian cricket legends who have long brought pride to the nation. We also impacted our partner brands who supported us purely for the love of the game. Therefore, we have decided to cancel the India vs Pakistan fixture.”

Shikhar Dhawan was among the first to publicly announce his stance. A statement released by his team read:

“Mr. Shikhar Dhawan will not be participating in any match against Pakistan in the upcoming WCL. This decision, made after careful consideration of the current geopolitical situation, was communicated earlier on May 11, 2025. We ask for the league's understanding in this matter.”

Dhawan also reposted this statement on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle.

Additionally, a key sponsor — part of a five-year agreement with WCL — has also pulled out of involvement with any match featuring Pakistan, reaffirming their non-participation in such fixtures.