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Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Will India play against Pakistan in WCL 2025 semifinal? Sponsor, player comments place knock-out match in jeopardy
The World Championship of Legends 2025 has reached the next stage of this year's competition, as the top four teams of the league stage return to Birmingham for the semifinals and the final of the tournament. However, the organisers are met with a headache of a dilemma to deal with, as they must find a path through the scheduled semifinal between India and Pakistan. Indian and Pakistan teams line up before their WCL clash in 2024. Pakistan finished top of the WCL table with 4 wins and one no result in their five league games, a dominant display thus far. India, meanwhile, scraped through to the semifinals on net run-rate after a disappointing season, winning one match and losing three, with one no result. The two rivals didn't play one another in the group stage, as the match was called off due to Indian players dropping out citing the recent conflict in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. Players such as Shikhar Dhawan and Harbhajan Singh made public statements regarding their non-participation in their league stage game, causing its cancellation and split points. However, with the two teams scheduled to play each other in Thursday's semifinal, the organisers must once again look for answers. Pakistan Champions owner Kamil Khan had claimed that they would ensure Pakistan and India wouldn't meet in the semifinal of the event, but with the teams slated to play each other, a quick solution must be found to ensure the continuation of the tournament. 'We believe cricket should rise above and transcend political differences. Sport has the unique power to unite and our participation in this tournament is rooted in a commitment to peace, positivity and the genuine spirit of the game,' Kamil Khan's statement following the cancellation of the league stage match read. India vs Pakistan a rematch of 2024 WCL final Along with India and Pakistan, the two other semifinalists are South Africa and Australia. While shuffling around the semifinals is an idea, hoping for one of India or Pakistan to be knocked out is not a concrete, and would just create a potential problem for when the final itself rolls around. Pakistan's better season record and place at the top of the table means they will likely be considered to move on to the final in case the match is cancelled, and especially so if it is the Indian team that forfeits this contest. The India-Pakistan clash is therefore likely to continue with the tournament's progression at stake, but that has also been jeopardised by tournament sponsors EaseMyTrip pulling out with a statement that read 'terror and cricket cannot go hand in hand'. This follows from Shikhar Dhawan stating to a reporter following India's game against England, when asked whether he would withdraw from the semifinal as well: 'If I didn't play before, I still won't play now.' Whether the Indian team opts out of this match and abandons their WCL campaign remains to be seen, but as it stands, the match is set to go ahead at Edgbaston, where this will become a subplot to the story of the match itself.
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First Post
21-07-2025
- Sport
- First Post
Pakistan Champions owner addresses possibility of India vs Pakistan semi-final in WCL after cancelled match: 'If we make it to the semi-final...'
After the much-touted India Champions vs Pakistan Champions match got cancelled in the WCL 2025, Pakistan Champions owner has replied to some of the burning questions. read more Following heavy criticism on social media, the highly anticipated World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 game between the India Champions and Pakistan Champions was cancelled on Sunday. Fans were upset with former Indian cricketers participating in the match against Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. The mdeia reports, however, have stated that several players, including Harbhajan Singh, Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, Suresh Raina, and Shikhar Dhawan, had pulled out ahead of the start of the match. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the aftermath of the cancelled match, several questions arose regarding the status of the tournament and the Pakistan team. Addressing these concerns, Pakistan Champions owner Kamil Khan offered some clarity. WCL 2025 to proceed as planned Khan has confirmed that the T20 tournament will continue as planned and that the upcoming games will take place as per schedule. He did not turn a blind eye on the possible case of yet another clash materialising between the two teams this time in the knockout stage and made it known that it will be 'avoided'. 'All the remaining matches are taking place. The tournament is going on as per schedule, and there are no changes," GeoNews quoted Kamil Khan as saying. 'As for the semifinals and final, we're currently saying that if we make it to the semifinals, there will be four teams, and we will avoid matches between the two teams,' he said, possibly referring to the conflicting sides,' he added. Also Read | Shahid Afridi questions Indian players after cancellation of India vs Pakistan match Also, in case India and Pakistan book their places in the August 2 final, then a decision will be taken ahead of the fixture. 'If we reach the final, then the decisions regarding that will be made then," he said. In an official statement, the WTC organisers clarified that they scheduled the India vs Pakistan match only after learning the news that the Pakistan hockey team would be visiting India. The second edition of the WCL got underway last week with the opening match between Pakistan and England Champions. The inaugural season of the tournament was won by the India Champions. They defeated arch-rivals Pakistan in the final. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
India.com
21-07-2025
- Sport
- India.com
What Will Happen After India Pull Out Of India Vs Pakistan Match In World Championship Of Legends 2025?
In a major turn of events that has stirred both the cricketing world and political corridors, the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 was officially called off, with Pakistan Champions awarded two points after India Champions refused to play. The move, grounded in deep political undertones following the Pahalgam terror attack, has reignited conversations on the intersection of geopolitics and sports. India Champions were scheduled to begin their WCL 2025 campaign with a high-octane encounter against arch-rivals Pakistan in Birmingham. However, citing rising tensions post the Pahalgam terror attack in April and the ensuing Operation Sindoor, Indian cricket legends including Shikhar Dhawan, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, and others chose to boycott the match. Dhawan, in a formal statement, cited the "prevailing geopolitical situation" as the reason behind the pullout. Harbhajan and the Pathan brothers, who also serve as Members of Parliament, stood in solidarity, although their official statements are yet to be released. The players received significant backlash online for their initial inclusion in the squad but have now drawn support for their principled stand. Pakistan Awarded Two Points: What It Means for WCL 2025 Pakistan Champions' owner Kamil Khan confirmed that the team would receive two points by default. 'The two points will be awarded to us, and we deserve those points as per the rules,' said Khan in a media interaction. With Shahid Afridi leading a star-studded side including Younis Khan, Kamran Akmal, Wahab Riaz, and Sohail Tanvir, Pakistan are now well-placed in the points table. Despite the controversy, Kamil Khan assured that the tournament will proceed as scheduled, hinting that if India and Pakistan both reach the semi-finals, organisers will attempt to keep them apart in the draw — a decision likely to fuel further debate. WCL Organisers: Caught Between Sentiment and Sport The organisers of the World Championship of Legends issued a heartfelt statement, expressing regret for unintentionally hurting sentiments. They justified the match's inclusion, citing recent examples of India-Pakistan sporting ties in hockey and volleyball. However, they acknowledged the sensitivity of the moment: 'In trying to create happy memories, we may have stirred emotions. We apologise sincerely.' The tournament, co-owned by Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn, aims to celebrate cricketing nostalgia. But the India-Pakistan standoff has become a critical flashpoint in its second edition. Could India and Pakistan Still Meet in the Semis or Final? Yes — and that remains a big concern for organisers. If both teams progress through the group stages, they could meet again in the semi-finals or even the final. The WCL management has suggested that match-ups between the two sides may be avoided in the semis, but no concrete format changes have been announced.
India Today
21-07-2025
- Sport
- India Today
India vs Pakistan in WCL semi-final? Team owner lifts the lid on possible clash
India and Pakistan will avoid facing each other in the semi-final of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025, confirmed Pakistan Champions team owner Kamil Khan. The two teams were also set to clash in the league stage of the tournament on July 20 at Edgbaston, Birmingham. However, the match was cancelled after several Indian players, namely Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh, amongst others, pulled out of the fixture amid widespread cancellation has put the future of the tournament in jeopardy as India and Pakistan are likely to meet again in the knockout stages of the tournament. The organisers have already devised a plan to avoid such a situation as the two teams will not be facing each other if they reach the last four.'All the remaining matches are taking place. The tournament is going on as per schedule, and there are no changes. As for the semifinals and final, we're currently saying that if we make it to the semifinals, there will be four teams, and we will avoid matches between the two teams,' GeoNews quoted Kamil Khan as saying. Furthermore, he also mentioned that they're yet to decide on what will happen if both teams reach the final.'If we reach the final, then the decisions regarding that will be made then. And as for this match, the two points will be awarded to us, and we deserve those points as per the rules," he after the match got cancelled, former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi urged India to continue cricketing relations and said that one 'rotten egg' spoiled everything."Sports brings countries closer. If politics comes between everything then how will you move forward? Without communication, things cannot be solved. The idea for these kinds of events is also to meet one on one. But you know, there is always one rotten egg, which spoils everything," Shahid Afridi told the media on Sunday, July 20.- EndsTune InMust Watch
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
WCL 2025: Will India skip another Pakistan clash if they meet in semis or final? Team owner drops hint
The highly awaited World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 clash between traditional rivals India and Pakistan was officially cancelled. The match, originally set to be played on Sunday at Edgbaston, was called off after the tournament organisers released an official statement on social media confirming the decision. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The match was cancelled after Indian players, including Shikhar Dhawan, refused to be a part of it, citing the in April. India had defeated Pakistan by five wickets to win the inaugural edition of the six-team legends tournament last year at Edgbaston. Poll Do you think India will play against Pakistan if they meet in the semifinals or finals? Yes, they will play. No, they will avoid the match. It depends on the situation. The players received a lot of flak on social media for agreeing to play against the Pakistan team. But the real question is — will the Indian team play Pakistan if they meet in the semifinal or final? 'All the remaining matches are taking place. The tournament is going on as per schedule, and there are no changes," Geo News quoted Kamil Khan, team owner of Pakistan Champions. 'As for the semifinals and final, we're currently saying that if we make it to the semifinals, there will be four teams, and we will avoid matches between the two teams. 'If we reach the final, then the decisions regarding that will be made then," he said. EXCLUSIVE: Nitish Kumar Reddy ruled out of England Test series The Pakistan Champions were awarded two points after India decided to pull out. "And as for this match, the two points will be awarded to us, and we deserve those points as per the rules,' said Kamil Khan. The second edition of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) tournament, which is co-owned by Bollywood star Ajay Devgn, started on June 18 at Edgbaston and is scheduled for an August 2 final. The WCL organisers shared a statement on their X account detailing the decision to cancel the match and said their intention in conducting it was to recreate some "happy memories." Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "After hearing the news that the Pakistan hockey team will be coming to India this year, and seeing the recent India vs Pakistan volleyball match along with a few other fixtures between the two nations in different sports, we thought of continuing with the India vs Pakistan match at WCL, just to create some happy memories for people around the globe. "But maybe in the process, we ended up hurting the feelings of many and stirring emotions," the WCL statement read.
