This match would have marked the first India-Pakistan cricket encounter since the military standoff between the two nations following the April 22 Pahalgam attack
Digital Desk: The highly anticipated India vs Pakistan match in the second edition of the World Championship of Legends was cancelled on Sunday after several Indian players refused to participate, allegedly protesting against the terror strike that happened at Pahalgam in April this year.
The World Championship of Legends (WCL) organized the match as an event following a recent India-Pakistan volleyball game, arguing that the event aimed to build goodwill and leave lasting memories among the fans. However, the organizers acknowledged that the decision may have unintentionally hurt sentiments and caused discomfort to several Indian legends. With this intention, the game was cancelled and the WCL apologized for any distress caused.
The game would have been the first cricket game between the two nations since the military standoff that resulted between the two after the 22nd April Pahalgam attack.
As per reports, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, and Yusuf Pathan were among the first people to withdraw from the game. Although formal withdrawals were uncertain, the Pahalgam incident was an event that, according to sources, has put a lot of tension on their decision. It was also reported that Irfan Pathan refused to play.
On 11th May, former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan publicly announced his decision not to take part in the game, by making a post on X (formerly Twitter). It was an email that he had sent to the organizers with a reason of the geopolitical situation that prevailed at the time.
In his post, Dhawan wrote:-
“Jo kadam 11 May ko liya, uspe aaj bhi waise hi khada hoon. Mera desh mere liye sab kuch hai, aur desh se badhkar kuch nahi hota.”
(I stand by the decision I made on May 11. My country means everything to me, and nothing is greater than the nation
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