In a significant setback to the much-anticipated World Championship of Legends (WCL) fixture, five key Indian cricketing icons — Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Yusuf Pathan — have reportedly pulled out of their scheduled match against the Pakistan Champions team. The reason, according to multiple sources, is linked to ongoing political sensitivities and diplomatic pressures surrounding Indo-Pak relations.
The clash, which was expected to be one of the marquee matches of the WCL tournament, now finds itself under the spotlight for reasons beyond cricket. These former Team India players were part of the Indian Champions squad — a lineup that had already garnered immense public interest for its nostalgic star power.
While no official press statement has been issued from the WCL management or BCCI, insiders suggest that the sudden mass exit was influenced by “political guidance” from higher authorities, possibly to avoid any sporting association with Pakistan on foreign soil. The tournament is being hosted in England, where such matchups usually attract large South Asian crowds and global viewership.
“They were all ready to play, but something changed in the last 24 hours,” one source close to the organizing committee told media outlets. “There was no injury concern. It seems like a political directive,” the source added.
Earlier this month, Imad Wasim also made headlines — but for more personal reasons. Read Also: Imad Wasim and Sannia Separation Rumors Intensify After Instagram Activity.
This withdrawal leaves a massive void in the Indian squad, especially since these players were among the most anticipated names. Shikhar Dhawan was set to captain the side and had already participated in WCL promotional events. Suresh Raina and Yusuf Pathan were expected to strengthen the middle order, while Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan were key bowling figures in the veteran setup.
The development comes just days after another cricket controversy made waves in Pakistan. Read Also: Babar and Rizwan Dropped from Bangladesh Tour Squad.
Cricket fans are divided. Some understand the decision considering geopolitical strains between the two countries, while others feel the move robs the tournament of its core charm — cross-border cricketing nostalgia.
“It’s disappointing. We wanted to see our favorite Indian and Pakistani players face off once again, even if retired,” said a fan attending the event in Birmingham. “This just takes the shine off the whole league.”
On the commercial side, the absence of these Indian stars could also hit sponsorship deals and ticket sales. Brands had invested heavily in promoting a Dhawan vs. Misbah-style battle — reliving India-Pakistan cricketing rivalries of the 2000s.
In related news, Pakistan’s e-commerce sector is facing its own disruptions as platforms like Temu and AliExpress are witnessing a price surge due to tax updates. Read Also: Price Hike Hits Temu and AliExpress in Pakistan – Here’s Why.
The Indian players’ withdrawal has also sparked debates about the role of sports in diplomacy. Historically, cricket has often served as a bridge between the two nations — most notably during tours in the early 2000s. However, the current political climate appears too tense for even retired legends to step onto the same pitch.
The WCL organizers are reportedly in discussions with other former cricketers and might announce replacement players shortly. However, replicating the star power of Dhawan, Raina, or Bhajji in a short time frame seems unlikely.
Meanwhile, some Pakistani cricket fans have speculated online whether this withdrawal was influenced by a fear of defeat — a sentiment that’s been trending under hashtags like #BackedOut and #NoShowIndia on X (formerly Twitter). These reactions, however, only add fuel to an already politicized atmosphere.
The Pakistan Champions, on the other hand, are continuing preparations as scheduled and are expected to field a full-strength side led by seasoned names like Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, and Shoaib Malik. The team management has not commented on the Indian squad’s exit, maintaining focus on performance and fan engagement.
The incident could also impact future editions of WCL or similar veteran cricket leagues. Organizers may now hesitate to schedule India vs. Pakistan matchups unless political stability or mutual sports agreements are in place.
Off the field, cricket personalities remain in the spotlight. Earlier this week, former West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell also surprised fans with a career update. Read Also: Andre Russell Announces Retirement After Final T20I Series.
As the tournament continues with major reshuffles and unexpected drama, stay tuned to TrendNama.com for real-time updates, exclusive coverage, and behind-the-scenes insights from the WCL and beyond.
