Photo via Hindustan Times

India vs Pakistan back on WCL calendar after two cancelled 2025 clashes, another drama may be brewing

The World Championship of Legends has officially slated an India Champions versus Pakistan Champions encounter for October 10 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, starting at 7:30 pm local time (9:00 pm IST). This high-stakes group match forms part of the third tournament edition, which will run across Dubai and Sharjah from October 3 to 18, 2026.

The expanded seven-team competition welcomes newcomers Bangladesh Champions alongside returning sides representing Australia, England, South Africa, and the West Indies. India will open their run in Sharjah against Australia on October 3, followed immediately by an October 4 meeting with England.

Renewed uncertainty surrounds the cross-border fixture after both scheduled games between the sides collapsed during the 2025 competition. Last year, an initial round-robin encounter at Edgbaston was abandoned when Indian squad members, notably including Shikhar Dhawan, declined to play due to political strains following the Pahalgam terrorist assault and Operation Sindoor.