In a dramatic escalation of cricketing tensions, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has convened an emergency Board of Governors (BoG) meeting following India’s refusal to face Pakistan in the upcoming World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025. The match, initially slated as one of the marquee encounters of the tournament, has been officially forfeited by India, raising serious questions about the political undertones surrounding Indo-Pak cricket.
According to official sources, India cited “political pressure” as the reason for pulling out of the fixture, resulting in Pakistan being awarded a walkover victory. The development has triggered a wave of reaction across cricketing and diplomatic circles, particularly with the Asia Cup 2025 on the horizon, where India and Pakistan are expected to clash on September 14.
In response to the forfeiture, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has urgently called a BoG meeting to evaluate the implications of India’s decision and formulate a future course of action. The meeting, scheduled for later this week in Lahore, will reportedly cover not just the WCL fallout but also broader policy on bilateral cricket relations, especially within the frameworks of the Asia Cup and the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
“Pakistan has always kept cricket above politics. But this unilateral move by India sets a dangerous precedent for international sportsmanship,” a senior PCB official told reporters.
Sources also indicate that PCB is considering taking up the matter at the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) forums, demanding clarity on future fixtures and opposing selective participation in ICC-backed events.
The incident has stirred significant fan backlash on social media, with hashtags like #IndiaForfeits, #PCBResponds, and #WCLDrama trending across platforms.
Meanwhile, former cricketers from both countries have weighed in. Pakistan legend Shahid Afridi labeled the decision “unsportsmanlike,” while Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle called for “dialogue over drama” in international cricket.
This political twist comes just weeks before the Asia Cup 2025, where digital rights have already been secured by Tamasha in Pakistan. With millions of fans anticipating a high-octane India–Pakistan face-off on September 14, it remains to be seen whether geopolitical tensions will once again spill into the sporting arena.
