India withdraw from veterans' cricket semifinal against Pakistan amid tensions
A group match between the two teams was also called off earlier this month in the veterans' competition sanctioned by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
Tickets will be refunded for the semifinal match which was scheduled to take place in Birmingham on Thursday, WCL organizers said in a statement on Instagram, adding that Pakistan will advance to the final.
India and Pakistan, who have not played bilateral cricket since 2013, are set to face off in the Asia Cup on September 14.
The WCL is in its second edition, running from July 18 to August 2 in England, with six teams representing India, Pakistan, England, Australia, South Africa and West Indies competing across four venues including Edgbaston, Headingley, Leicester and Northampton.
A total of 18 matches are being played in this round-robin T20 format with playoffs at its conclusion.
The tournament was launched in 2024 and returns this year with high-profile former international stars like Shahid Afridi, Yuvraj Singh, Kevin Pietersen, Brett Lee, Eoin Morgan and Chris Gayle drawing crowds.
The India Champions, captained by Yuvraj Singh, entered as defending champions after beating Pakistan in last year's final.
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