WCL issues clarification on the viral India vs Pakistan video
The organizers of the World Championship of Legends (WCL 2025) have stepped forward to clarify the controversy surrounding a viral video circulating on social media over the past week. In the footage, the India Champions players can be seen exiting the field, while former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi watches from a balcony — a sequence that sparked widespread speculation about a possible snub or confrontation. To address the swirling questions and rumors, the WCL committee issued a statement explaining that the video captures a routine moment during the match and was taken out of context.
According to organizers, the India Champions players were leaving the field following a natural break in play, and Shahid Afridi’s presence on the balcony was purely coincidental—he was not there for any special reason related to the players. The statement reaffirmed that no intentional slight occurred, and both teams remain in good spirits. Officials emphasized that legends like Afridi are often spotted around match venues due to ceremonial duties or guest appearances and that his location had no bearing on the India Champions players or their performance. They also requested fans and media to avoid drawing conclusions from isolated visuals without full context.
#worldchampionshipoflegends #WCL2025 pic.twitter.com/VIsF2BI5Ew
— World Championship Of Legends (@WclLeague) August 2, 2025
The organizers of the WCL 2025 have officially acknowledged that the players from India and Pakistan never interacted during the tournament. In a recent statement, it was confirmed that the much-anticipated clashes between the India Champions and Pakistan Champions—scheduled for both the group stage and semi-final—never materialized.
Despite being originally part of the fixture list, the group-stage encounter between the arch-rivals was quietly canceled amid growing public backlash on social media. The decision came in the wake of rising tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s military response through Operation Sindoor, which led to widespread calls for India to sever sporting ties with Pakistan.
On the day Pakistan defeated Australia in a group-stage game, India was simultaneously playing the West Indies. The Indian squad, reigning champions of the tournament, avoided any direct engagement with the Pakistani players. Later, with national sentiment running high, the India Champions officially withdrew from their scheduled semi-final clash against Pakistan, citing security and public pressure. Consequently, Pakistan was awarded a walkover victory and advanced unchallenged to the final against South Africa. The situation has drawn mixed reactions, with some supporting India’s stance on political and ethical grounds, while others expressed disappointment over lost sporting opportunities.
South Africa, led by AB de Villiers, clinched the title in the second edition of the World Championship of Legends 2025 on Saturday. Chasing a target of over 190 runs, the Proteas found themselves in a tense spot with nine wickets down, but de Villiers delivered a stunning performance. The legendary batter scored a brilliant 120 off just 60 balls, guiding his team to victory with 19 balls to spare. His heroic knock sealed the win in a thrilling finale. In contrast, India had claimed the inaugural WCL title by defeating Pakistan in the first edition.
