Live Updates: India withdraw from WCL Semi-Final - Pakistan move to final of World Championship of Legends
The World Championship of Legends (WCL) is currently underway in Birmingham, and the semi-finals are rapidly approaching. The first semi-final is scheduled to be between Pakistan and India on Friday, July 31. However, recent reports suggest that India may boycott this crucial match against their arch-rivals.
The foundation for this potential boycott was laid in the group stage, where India chose not to play Pakistan, resulting in an abandoned match and each team earning one point. This decision was reportedly due to political and security concerns stemming from a terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of Indian civilians.
If India were to withdraw from the semi-final as well, the immediate consequence would be the cancellation of the match, with Pakistan being awarded a walkover and advancing directly to the final. This scenario was played out in 2025 when the India Champions team, led by Yuvraj Singh, pulled out of the semi-final scheduled against Pakistan Champions, following the Pahalgam attack.
The Indian players, including notable names like Shikhar Dhawan, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, and Suresh Raina, expressed their unwillingness to participate in the knockout clash against Pakistan. Their sponsors, such as the founder of EaseMyTrip, have also called for a boycott of the match.
The tournament organizers, however, have yet to release an official statement regarding India's withdrawal from the WCL. If India does indeed boycott the semi-final, Pakistan is expected to go through to the final round.
In the group stage, Pakistan finished at the top of the table with nine points, while India finished fourth with three points. Australia and India finished third and fourth respectively, setting up a semi-final between Australia and South Africa. Pakistan and South Africa, who finished first and second respectively, are set to meet in the other semi-final.
The WCL began on July 18 and the group stage ended on July 29. The tournament promises to be a thrilling spectacle of cricket, with veterans of the game showcasing their skills and prowess. However, the potential boycott by India adds an unexpected twist to the proceedings, highlighting how geopolitical issues can impact sporting events, even at the veteran or legends level.
[1] India Today
[2] ESPN Cricinfo
[3] Cricket Country
[4] Cricbuzz
[5] Dawn
Sports reports suggest that the ongoing World Championship of Legends (WCL) may experience an unexpected twist, as India is potentially considering a boycott of their semi-final match against Pakistan on July 31. This decision, if confirmed, could lead to Pakistan advancing directly to the final, similar to the 2025 scenario involving the India Champions team led by Yuvraj Singh.
