Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi was left dissapointed after India's abrupt withdrawal from the much-anticipated World Championship of Legends (WCL) clash against Pakistan, calling the move a setback.
The match, scheduled for Sunday at Edgbaston, was cancelled by tournament organisers after several prominent Indian players backed out at the last moment. The decision wa staken following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, India.
Notable names such as Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, and the Pathan brothers Irfan and Yusuf were among those reported to have opted out. Shikhar Dhawan publicly stated his decision on social media.
“In light of the current geopolitical situation, I have decided not to participate in the India vs Pakistan match,” Dhawan wrote, referencing the heightened tensions following the Pahalgam attack.
Afridi Urges Separation of Politics and Sport
Reacting to the turn of events, Afridi voiced his disappointment, urging both nations to keep politics away from the cricket field. The former Pakistan skipper said, “We are here to play cricket, and I've always said that cricket should be kept away from politics it should move forward. A player should be a good ambassador, not a source of embarrassment for their country.”
Afridi was particularly frustrated by the timing of India's decision, noting that Indian players had already begun their preparations for the fixture. He said, “If [India] didn’t want to play against Pakistan, they should’ve refused before coming here,” he said. “But now you’ve arrived, even held practice sessions, and then suddenly changed everything in a single day.”
Organisers apologise for cancelling India vs Pakistan match
In response to the controversy, WCL organisers issued a statement expressing regret over the developments and apologised for “unintentionally causing discomfort” to the Indian cricket legends. The cancellation marks a disappointing chapter in what was expected to be a nostalgic showdown between former cricketing greats from the subcontinent.
