WCL 2025: After Pahalgam Attack, Top Indian Legends Refuse to Play Against Pakistan
Four Indian legends, including Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh, have pulled out of the WCL 2025 clash vs Pakistan.
The India vs Pakistan clash in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 has hit a major roadblock. Four Indian players, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, and now Suresh Raina, have withdrawn from the high-voltage match amid political backlash following the Pahalgam terror attack.
India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series for years due to political tensions. But after the recent attack that took Indian lives, public sentiment has turned even more hostile. Many fans and former cricketers have urged a complete boycott of Pakistan across all formats, even in private leagues like the WCL.
Suresh Raina, one of the most-loved former Indian cricketers, has also reportedly pulled out of the game, citing “personal reasons.” However, several reports suggest that the decision comes in response to public outrage and rising pressure after his name appeared in the squad for the IND vs PAK game.
Earlier, Harbhajan Singh had shared a strong message saying, “My heart goes out to the families of those who lost their lives in the attack. This can’t be forgiven.” Irfan and Yusuf also decided to withdraw in solidarity.
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi’s inclusion in the WCL has not gone down well with Indian fans. Afridi had recently made controversial anti-India remarks, which led to social media clashes with Yuvraj Singh and Shikhar Dhawan. The backlash intensified once it was confirmed that Indian players would face Afridi on the field.
Gautam Gambhir, India’s current head coach, had earlier voiced his strong opinion that India should sever all cricketing ties with Pakistan, including in unofficial leagues.
About the WCL
The World Championship of Legends is a private T20 league sanctioned by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). It features six teams from India, Pakistan, Australia, England, South Africa, and the West Indies, all filled with retired players.
The tournament is co-owned by rapper Harshit Tomar and Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn. While the league has seen good crowd turnout and buzz, this controversy may cast a shadow over its future matches.
What now?
If more Indian players opt out, the India vs Pakistan match may be scrapped altogether. So far, the organisers have not released any official update regarding the match’s fate.
