The World Championship of Legends (WCL) has put India Champions and Pakistan Champions back on the same stage, scheduling the two sides to meet in Dubai on October 10 despite both of their planned encounters being abandoned during the 2025 edition.
The high-profile fixture forms part of the schedule unveiled for WCL Season 3, which will run from October 3 to 18 in the United Arab Emirates. India and Pakistan are due to meet at Dubai International Cricket Stadium at 7.30pm local time, with the contest returning to the calendar a year after the tournament was unable to stage the matchup on two separate occasions.
India-Pakistan fixture returns after 2025 cancellations
The decision to schedule another India-Pakistan contest comes with significant recent history for the competition. India Champions and Pakistan Champions were first due to meet during the league stage of WCL 2025 at Edgbaston, but the fixture was cancelled after several Indian players were unwilling to play against Pakistan amid heightened political tensions between the two countries.
The teams were then drawn against each other again in the semifinals. India’s players again declined to participate, resulting in the knockout match being abandoned and Pakistan Champions progressing directly to the final without the game taking place.
India Champions player Shikhar Dhawan was among the most vocal India Champions players over the issue, with other prominent members of the side also unwilling to participate in the Pakistan fixtures.
WCL has nevertheless restored the matchup to its schedule for the new season. While the October 10 contest is currently set to go ahead, the events of 2025 mean the status of the fixture will remain an important point of attention as the tournament approaches.
WCL moves to UAE for Season 3
The third edition will also bring a change of location, with the WCL moving to the UAE and splitting its matches between Dubai International Cricket Stadium and Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
The tournament will feature seven teams, with Bangladesh Champions joining India Champions, Pakistan Champions, Australia Champions, England Champions, South Africa Champions and West Indies Champions.
A total of 24 matches are scheduled across the competition. Dubai will stage six games, while Sharjah will host the remaining 18, including both semifinals and the final.
South Africa Champions will enter the tournament as defending champions after beating Pakistan Champions in the 2025 final. Their title defence begins against West Indies Champions in Sharjah on October 4.
India Champions begin campaign against Australia
India Champions will open their WCL 2026 campaign against Australia Champions in Sharjah on October 3 before facing England Champions at the same venue the following day.
Their third league fixture comes against South Africa Champions on October 6, followed by the move to Dubai for the scheduled meeting with Pakistan Champions on October 10.
India will remain in Dubai to face tournament newcomers Bangladesh Champions on October 11 before returning to Sharjah for their final league-stage game against West Indies Champions on October 13.
The semifinals will be played in Sharjah on October 16, with the tournament concluding at the same venue with the final on October 18.
By placing India Champions and Pakistan Champions together once again, WCL has restored one of its highest-profile fixtures to the calendar. Whether the October 10 contest reaches the field this time will become clear as the third edition approaches following the two abandoned meetings of 2025.
