WCL match between Pakistan and India called off after Indian players object to Shahid Afridi's participation

The much-anticipated World Championship of Legends (WCL) match between India and Pakistan, scheduled to be held in Birmingham on Sunday, July 20, has been cancelled, the tournament organisers confirmed.

The decision to call off the match came after several Indian players refused to participate if former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi was included in the Pakistan Champions squad or even present at the venue, according to journalist Murtaza Ali Shah.

"Five legend Indian cricket players have today told the management of World Championship Legends (WCL) they will not play against Pakistan in Birmingham on Sunday 20th July if cricket star @safridiofficial is part of the Pakistan Champions team or he enters the ground. These are the Indian conditions," Shah said in his X post.

BREAKING 🚨🚨: Five legend Indian cricket players have today told the management of World Championship Legends (WCL) they will not play against Pakistan in Birmingham on Sunday 20th July if cricket star @safridiofficial is part of the Pakistan Champions team or he enters the… pic.twitter.com/yvqnVH0d33

— Murtaza Ali Shah (@MurtazaViews) July 19, 2025

"The event organisers of WCL have confirmed that tomorrow's match between India and Pakistan (Sunday 20th July at 16.30) has been cancelled. Please do not attend as the stadium will be closed. All ticket holders will receive a full refund, please see below for further details," the official X account of Edgbaston Stadium announced.

The event organisers of WCL have confirmed that tomorrow’s match between India and Pakistan (Sunday 20th July at 16.30) has been cancelled. Please do not attend as the stadium will be closed.

All ticket holders will receive a full refund, please see below for further details. pic.twitter.com/q5A0DOg356

— Edgbaston Stadium (@Edgbaston) July 19, 2025

"We at WCL have always cherished and loved cricket, and our only aim has been to give fans some good, happy moments," an official statement shared on the tournament's social media handle reads.

"After hearing the news that the Pakistan hockey team will be coming to India this year, and seeing recent India vs Pakistan volleyball and other inter-nation fixtures, we thought of continuing with the India vs Pakistan match at WCL — just to create some happy memories for people around the globe."

"However, we have decided to call off the India vs Pakistan match," the statement added.

"We sincerely apologise for hurting sentiments and hope people will understand that all we ever wanted was to bring a few happy moments to the fans."