Asia Cup 2025- India vs Pakistan match cancelled after schedule announcement

The India Champions have pulled out of their high-voltage semifinal clash against Pakistan in the ongoing World Championship of Legends 2025 (WCL 2025). India Champions are set to face Pakistan Champions in the first semifinal of the WCL 2025 on July 31 at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

But the latest reports suggest that the India Champions versus Pakistan Champions semifinal clash won't be happening, just like their previous group match in the ongoing World Championship of Legends 2025 in England.

India Champions boycott WCL 2025 Semifinal against Pakistan amid rising tensions

It is being said that Indian icons made their stand clear ahead of the knockout round that they will take the field against their archrivals Pakistan under any circumstances due to the increased military tensions between the two nations following the terror attack on Pahalgam earlier this year.

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Sources were quoted as saying to IANS, “Indian players have refused to play against Pakistan in the WCL semifinal scheduled for Thursday.” Another source was quoted as saying by PTI, “Retired international players representing India Champions have refused to play against Pakistan Champions in the semi-final of the World Championship of Legends in Birmingham.”

Earlier, travel company EaseMyTrip withdrew from sponsoring the semi-final match between India Champions and Pakistan Champions in the World Championship of Legends 2025. The company said that they are just following their policy of not supporting any event that features Pakistan.

Some things are bigger than sport: EaseMyTrip

EaseMyTrip CEO and co-founder Nishant Pitti said in a statement, “We applaud Team India @India_Champions for their outstanding performance in the World Championship of Legends; you've made the nation proud. However, the upcoming semi-final against Pakistan is not just another game. Terror and cricket cannot go hand in hand.”

Pitti further emphasized by saying, “@EaseMyTrip, we stand with India. We cannot support any event that attempts to normalize relations with a country that promotes terrorism. The people of India have spoken, and we hear them. EaseMyTrip will not be associated with the India vs Pakistan match in WCL. Some things are bigger than sport. Nation first, business later, always.”

India vs Pakistan – WCL Semi-Final

We applaud Team India @India_Champions for their outstanding performance in the World Championship of Legends, you’ve made the nation proud.

However, the upcoming semi-final against Pakistan is not just another game, Terror and cricket cannot…

— Nishant Pitti (@nishantpitti) July 30, 2025

EaseMyTrip had signed a five-year deal with the World Championship of Legends as a top sponsor, but it made its stance clear from the beginning that they would not support any game against Pakistan. The company said that it continues to support the India Champions team, but it will not promote or take part in any game featuring Pakistan, staying firm on its policy.

Read Also: Asia Cup 2025- Jasprit Bumrah on the verge of elimination after serious injury in England

India Champions' rough WCL 2025 ride

Earlier in the WCL 2025, the league match between India and Pakistan was cancelled after strong opposition from Indian players and a key sponsor. Former cricketers like Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan publicly denied playing with Pakistan, and the match was called off.

India Champions have had a tough journey so far. They started with a big 88-run loss to South Africa (under the DRS method), then suffered two more defeats against Australia and England. Their only point before winning the game against the West Indies was from the abandoned match against Pakistan.