India won’t play Pakistan in a Legends tournament — but will in the Asia Cup.
They’ll forfeit privately organized fixtures — but fulfill commitments in ICC and ACC events.
Now, cricket’s global leadership is weighing in. And the majority doesn’t buy the logic.
In a recent cricexec poll of senior industry executives worldwide, 76% said they do not agree with India’s current policy of only facing Pakistan in multilateral tournaments like ICC and Asia Cup events, while refusing to play them in bilateral or unsanctioned competitions.
Only 24% supported the current approach, calling it a balanced response to the political situation.
The results arrive amid a firestorm of controversy following India’s double forfeit against Pakistan at the World Championship of Legends (WCL) — and just weeks ahead of an official India-Pakistan showdown scheduled for September 14 at the Asia Cup 2025.
“All 15 players decided not to play”
The WCL saga began when all 15 players in the India Champions squad refused to play Pakistan in the group stage — and again in the semifinal.
“The entire Indian team had the stance of not going ahead with the match against Pakistan. All 15 players decided not to play against Pakistan,”
— Harshit Tomar, WCL owner
Tomar, speaking on Shubhankar Mishra’s YouTube channel, said everything had been cleared in advance:
“We approached the England and Wales Cricket Board, informing them about the geopolitical situation… they said, ‘This is good to go.’”
But public outrage changed everything.
“As the match got close, people realised the reality of India playing against Pakistan. They started to express their emotions. There was a campaign on social media. We then had to take a call.”
The cancellation triggered a personal backlash — even against Indian legends.
“You raised questions about Yuvraj Singh, who was battling cancer, and still he played the World Cup. We are Indians, we are emotional.”
“Nation first, business later”: Corporate and player withdrawals
The boycott wasn’t limited to players. EaseMyTrip, a key WCL sponsor, publicly withdrew.
“We cannot support any event that attempts to normalise relations with a country that promotes terrorism… Nation first, business later. Always. Jai Hind.”
— Nishant Pitti, Co-founder, EaseMyTrip
In a formal statement, the company added:
“Despite entering into a 5-year sponsorship agreement with the WCL… our stance has always been clear—EaseMyTrip will not be associated with or participate in any WCL match involving Pakistan.”
Shikhar Dhawan, one of the biggest names in the India Champions squad, released a prior email showing he’d made the decision months earlier:
“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 took on May 11. My country is everything for me and nothing is bigger than the country.)
Asked again before the semifinal whether he would play Pakistan, Dhawan was firm:
“Aapko ye sawal nahi poochna chahiye. Aur agar main pehle bhi nahi khela, toh fir bhi nahin khelunga.”
(You shouldn’t be asking this question. If I didn’t play earlier, I won’t play now either.)
PCB: “Bias masquerading as sensitivity”
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) called the WCL decision “tainted with hypocrisy and bias,” and imposed a full ban on player participation in future editions.
“The contents of the press releases highlight a duality where the narrative of ‘peace through sport’ is selectively applied and sporting events are held hostage to political expediency and narrow commercial interests.”
“This bias, masquerading as sensitivity, sends an unacceptable message to the international sporting community.”
“We cannot allow our players to be part of events where the spirit of the game is overshadowed by skewed politics.”
…Yet India will still face Pakistan in the Asia Cup
Despite WCL boycotts, India is still slated to play Pakistan on September 14 in the Asia Cup, hosted in the UAE.
According to IANS, the decision is final.
“The BCCI cannot withdraw from the tournament or the match now. The decision was agreed upon after the ACC meeting.”
That decision — and the BCCI’s silence — has infuriated politicians across the spectrum, especially because the schedule was announced on Kargil Vijay Diwas, a national day commemorating India’s military victory over Pakistan in 1999.
“Unbelievable insensitivity to announce India vs Pakistan match on Kargil Vijay Diwas. Shame on BCCI and the government for giving a go-ahead. Don’t use our army’s bravery for politics when you cannot take a stand for their martyrdom.”
— Priyanka Chaturvedi, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP
“This is a betrayal. You cancel a Legends match, citing patriotism, and then schedule three matches in the Asia Cup?”
— Sukhdeo Bhagat, Congress MP
“No bilateral ties should mean no multilateral games either”
The inconsistency has drawn fire from the cricketing world as well.
“No bilateral ties should mean no multilateral games either.”
— Mohammad Azharuddin, to Zee News
Azharuddin noted the distinction between the WCL and Asia Cup formats:
“The veterans’ league is not official… it’s conducted privately. But the Asia Cup is a tournament governed by the ACC.”
Still, former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria dismissed the distinction as political posturing.
“Indian players boycotted WCL and called it national duty. But now Asia Cup vs Pakistan is just fine? If cricket with Pakistan is okay, then WCL should’ve been too.”
“Either say clearly that sports and politics are separate, or maintain a firm stand across the board. No double standards.”
“We would’ve crushed them too”
After Pakistan was routed in the WCL final by South Africa, Suresh Raina took a celebratory shot:
“What a knock by @ABdeVilliers17 in the final, absolutely smashed it. Had we played, we would’ve crushed them too, but we chose our nation above everything else. Full respect to @EaseMyTrip and @nishantpitti for standing firm… That’s real character.”
Two camps, one contradiction
Interestingly, even within the 76% of executives who disagree with India’s current policy, there are two opposing viewpoints:
- One group believes India should play Pakistan in all formats — WCL, Asia Cup, bilateral, ICC
- The other believes India shouldn’t play Pakistan anywhere — including multilateral events
Both sides agree on one thing: the current approach makes no sense.
India forfeits in one tournament, then commits to another. Sponsors withdraw over sentiment, while revenue drives participation. The BCCI stays silent while players and politicians draw lines in the sand.
As the poll shows, cricket’s leadership is losing patience.
Cricexec Poll
Question: Do you agree with India’s current policy of only facing Pakistan in multinational tournaments but not in bilateral tournaments or otherwise?
✅ 24% Yes – “Multilateral events are different. It’s a balanced approach.”
❌ 76% No – “It’s inconsistent. If it’s okay to play Pakistan, it should be okay everywhere. If it’s not, then it’s not anywhere.”
