India withdraw from WCL semi-final against Pakistan Champions

India Champions have opted out of their scheduled semi-final clash against Pakistan Champions in the World Championship of Legends (WCL), citing ongoing political tensions between the two nations.

The match was set to take place on Thursday in Birmingham. As a result of the withdrawal, Pakistan Champions advance to the tournament final, where they will face the winner of the second semi-final between Australia Champions and South Africa Champions.

This is the second time during the tournament that India Champions have declined to play against their Pakistani counterparts. On July 20, both teams were awarded shared points after India Champions refused to play the group stage fixture.

With Pakistan Champions topping the group with nine points, and India Champions finishing fourth with three, the forfeiture means Pakistan move directly to the final.

The decision comes amid strained diplomatic and sporting ties between India and Pakistan following a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, in April this year, followed by a military standoff.

Despite the standoff, the men’s international teams are scheduled to meet in the Asia Cup in the UAE on September 14, while the women’s sides are set to face off in the ODI World Cup in Colombo on October 6.