Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has spoken about the cancellation of the much-awaited India vs. Pakistan match in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025. The clash was set to take place on Sunday, July 20, in Birmingham. However, it was called off after several Indian players chose not to participate.
The decision came after Indian cricket legends like Harbhajan Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, Irfan Pathan, and Yusuf Pathan declined to play. Their absence led to the match being cancelled, disappointing many cricket fans across the globe.
When asked about the issue during a press conference, Brett Lee shared his thoughts. He took a neutral approach and said, “That is a tough question. But I’ll say this—I love India, I love Pakistan. I hope both sides can come to an understanding and appreciate each other. Most importantly, we’re here to play a tournament with teams like Australia, India, and South Africa. What happened, happened. We pushed for it.”
Lee’s response reflected his desire to keep the sport inclusive and focused on the positive spirit of competition. He avoided blaming either side and instead expressed hope for peace and understanding.
After the cancellation, WCL organisers released an official statement on X (formerly Twitter). They explained that the India-Pakistan match was planned with the intent to create happy memories for fans. They were inspired by recent sporting ties between the two countries, including hockey and volleyball matches.
However, they admitted the decision sparked backlash. “In trying to bring joy, we may have hurt sentiments,” the organisers said. “We sincerely apologise and hope fans understand we only wanted to spread happiness.”
Indian player Shikhar Dhawan also took to social media to explain his decision. He wrote, “The stand I took on May 11, I still stand by it today. My country means everything to me.”
Harbhajan Singh, who is a Rajya Sabha member, along with Yusuf Pathan, also an MP, chose to skip the match. Their decision came after public criticism over their initial agreement to play against Pakistan.
The cancellation of the high-profile match was a major setback for fans, especially those hoping to see the legendary rivalry renewed on a global stage.
