Salman Butt challenges India to boycott Pakistan in ICC events after WCL 2025 snub

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has sparked a fresh controversy by challenging India after the high-profile India Champions vs Pakistan Champions clash in the ongoing World Championship of Legends 2025 (WCL 2025) was abruptly cancelled.

The much-anticipated WCL 2025 clash between the India Champions and Pakistan Champions was called off in Birmingham just hours before the game, after the sudden withdrawal of several key Indian players following social media outrage.

Salman Butt slams India after World Championship of Legends 2025 drama

The likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Yusuf Pathan reportedly opted out, sparking a storm of backlash from Pakistanis. They had taken a strong stand by condemning the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam in April 2025.

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The Indian Army responded strongly to Pakistan through Operation Sindoor after the terror attack in Pahalgam. Their decision to withdraw from the WCL 2025 match was seen as a continuation of that nationalist sentiment, and the organizers had to cancel the game and issue an apology, saying they never intended to cause discomfort to the Indian players.

Salman Butt questions India's 'Nationalism' and calls for ICC boycott

Now, reacting to the drama, Salman Butt questioned India’s true intentions, accusing them of mixing politics with cricket. The former captain said that if India were genuinely serious in cutting ties with Pakistan, then they should make it official by refusing to play Pakistan in any ICC tournament, be it the T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup, or even the Olympics in the future.

Salman Butt said on his YouTube: “The whole world is talking about them—what message have they sent to cricket as a whole and to the fans? What are you trying to show? What are you trying to prove? Now don't play in the World Cup...don't play against us in any ICC tournament.

Make this a promise. See, we understand that everything has its own place. But now that you are interlinking, don't play against us at any level or tournament. Not even the Olympics. Please do that. I would love to see it. The stakes would be high, and I'd see how much nationalism they can show at that level.”

Read Also: Pakistan Cricket Board to go 'Broke' as Asia Cup 2025 uncertainty triggers financial crisis

Salman Butt slams Indian legends for forcing WCL 2025 boycott

Butt further went on to criticize senior players in the Indian squad, accusing them of pressuring teammates to skip the match against Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends 2025. He claimed a few top names backed out and influenced others to follow, and that was unfair.

The former Pakistani batter continued, “What is this mindset? I just can't understand. Who is making this decision? Those 4-5 people who decided not to play, because of them, others, who probably had the mindset to play, felt pressured.”

Salman said that Pakistan will not forget what India did at the WCL 2025. He warned that if India changes its stance during ICC tournaments, they will keep reminding them of their "nationalism." Butt signed off by saying, “Keep this intact, because we will keep reminding them of this.”