Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi has expressed deep disappointment over India’s withdrawal from a World Championship of Legends (WCL) match against Pakistan. The fixture, scheduled for Sunday at Edgbaston, was cancelled after multiple Indian players reportedly opted out following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Among those who reportedly backed out were Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, and Irfan and Yusuf Pathan.
Although not officially confirmed, Shikhar Dhawan publicly stated on social media that he would not participate, citing the “geopolitical situation” between the two nations. Afridi criticized the abrupt decision, noting that the Indian players had already arrived, practiced, and were preparing for the match. He said, “If [India] didn’t want to play against Pakistan, they should’ve refused before coming here.”
WCL Tournament Continues Despite India-Pakistan Clash Cancellation
Despite the cancellation of the high-voltage match, WCL authorities have decided to carry on with the rest of the tournament as planned. Pakistan Champions owner Kamil Khan confirmed that there would be no schedule changes and the league would proceed as per its original format.
“All the remaining matches are taking place,” Khan clarified, while also confirming that two points from the cancelled match would be awarded to Pakistan. On potential future matchups between India and Pakistan, especially in knockout rounds, Khan said that such games might be avoided unless absolutely necessary, such as in the final. The semifinal lineup, however, will continue with the top four qualifying teams regardless of nationality.
Afridi Stresses on Separating Politics From Sports
Shahid Afridi also made an emotional appeal to separate politics from cricket, urging both countries to use sports as a platform for unity. “Sports bring people closer, but if politics gets involved in everything, how will we move forward?” he said. Afridi emphasized the importance of dialogue and interaction between nations, especially during sports events.
He also responded to reports that Indian players may have withdrawn due to his past controversial remarks following the Pahalgam incident. He stated that if he had known his presence was a problem, he would not have attended. “What is Shahid Afridi in front of cricket? Nothing,” he humbly remarked, reaffirming that cricket must be the priority over any individual or political dispute.
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