
Harbhajan, Pathan brothers pull out of IND vs PAK WCL match amid Pahalgam backlash; fixture set to be cancelled: Report
The Indian WCL team were recently at the receiving end of criticism of fans after it was revealed that Shahid Afridi would be part of the Pakistan team too. The Indian captain Yuvraj Singh, Shikhar Dhawan were also involved in social media war with the likes of Afridi over his anti-India remarks.
The Pahalgam terror attack saw 26 civilians get killed by armed terrorists near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. The attack's responsibiity was initially claimed by The Resistance Front, an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba.
In response, India launched Operation Sindoor, with missile strikes on terrorism-related infrastructure and facilities of Pakistan-based militant groups Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan across the border. Even Pakistan retaliated with cross-border shelling and drone attacks, which was foiled by India.
Although there has been no official update on the match, it is scheduled for July 20, and is set to begin at 9:00 PM IST. It will be played at Edgbaston in Birmingham. According to reports, even other Indian players are expected to withdraw from the upcoming fixture. But there hasn't been any other confirmation yet.
Also, the BCCI doesn't have any control over the participation of Indian players at the WCL, since it is an independent tournament and doesn't fall under their jurisdiction.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Hindu
20 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Super League Kerala signs five-year Rs 100-crore streaming rights deal with Sports.com
a part of the USA-based SEGG Media Group, has signed a five-year global partnership with Super League Kerala that could increase the football league's viewership in a big way. 'This is a Rs 100-crore deal and the contract is for five years. The global live streaming rights are now with Mathew Joseph, the CEO of the Super League Kerala (SLK), told Sportstar on Monday. 'This is also first entry into India; it will become the exclusive OTT platform for the SLK, and it will be free of cost. That is what we are more interested in,' he added. Joseph revealed that the deal, signed in Dubai, will also help build more content around the SLK, which attracted nearly 13 million viewers for its debut season last year. ALSO READ | VP Suhair set to join Jamshedpur FC ahead of Durand Cup 'They will also help us with content creation around the SLK which they have done globally for many sports…behind the scenes, they create a lot of interesting documentaries,' said Joseph. 'This deal represents a huge leap forward for the SLK. It allows us to amplify our reach across continents while delivering world-class fan engagement and streaming experiences to millions who love Kerala football,' said Firoz Meeran, Director, SLK. 'This is more than a sports rights deal. To enter the Indian market through Kerala, a State with an electrifying football culture and millions of global fans, gives us a high-growth, cash-yielding product to launch the app with force,' Firoz added. Related Topics Super League Kerala
&w=3840&q=100)

Business Standard
20 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Mohd Siraj reveals mindset in Lord's thriller: 'I won't get out here'
Mohammed Siraj has been a vital part of the Indian cricket team, always giving his 100% for the side day in and day out, no matter the result. The pacer has not only been valuable with his lethal deliveries but has also served as a morale-booster for the entire team whenever the atmosphere called for lifting spirits. Whether it's his aggression on the pitch while attacking batters from different nations, or his emotional involvement in the game, Siraj's commitment has consistently stood out. His sentimental side was on display when he stepped up to contribute with the bat. He was one of the last batters remaining on the final day at Lord's against England, alongside Ravindra Jadeja, whose heroics had taken the match to the final session and the final wicket. However, Siraj was dismissed in the most unfortunate manner, after middling the ball, it bounced back onto the stumps, handing England a narrow 22-run win. "I was thinking that I wouldn't get out on the final day, but even after middling the ball, I eventually lost my wicket, which was very heartbreaking to experience given that the match depended on that wicket and how close the result was to tipping in either side's favour." he said. "I'm an emotional person and it took time to move on from the dismissal. However, then I though to my self that the series is not over and we still can come back from the tie which is giving me a boost for the future." he further added. Siraj on workload management Siraj also emphasized that he doesn't worry much about workload and just wants to give his all whenever the team needs him. "God has been kind to keep me fit to play for my country most of the time, and I don't really think much about the workload. I just feel that if I'm given an opportunity to play for the country, I have to give it my all so that when I go to sleep at night, I don't have any regrets in my mind," he said. Siraj shares laughs with Manchester United's Maguire While Siraj is usually laser-focused when on duty for Team India, he showed a lighter side when the squad visited Manchester United's Carrington training ground to meet the club's players. A Cristiano Ronaldo fan, Siraj was even seen doing the Portuguese star's iconic celebration. He also shared a few laughs playing cricket with United defender Harry Maguire.


News18
28 minutes ago
- News18
MoS Sports Raksha Khadse Lauds Special Olympics Team For Gothia Cup Success
Last Updated: Union Minister Raksha Khadse praised the Special Olympics Bharat boys' football team for winning the Gothia Cup in Sweden. On Monday, Union Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse praised the Special Olympics Bharat boys' football team for defending their title at the Gothia Cup in Gothenburg, Sweden. The Indian team triumphed over Poland with a 3-1 score to retain the trophy, which they also secured last year. Saheer Muhammed emerged as the highest goal scorer for India with seven goals in the tournament, while Ankush Kumar netted three and Stalin Kumar scored two. Tarun Kumar and Biki Duley each contributed a goal. What Is Gothia Cup? The Gothia Cup, established in 2011, is the largest international youth football tournament and features the Special Olympics Trophy category, which offers a platform for athletes with varied cognitive abilities. 'The consecutive accomplishments of our Special Olympics Bharat team at the Gothia Cup are a profound statement of determination, resilience, and the limitless potential inherent in every individual," said Khadse as per a release. 'This embodies the true essence of Viksit Bharat – a developed India where every citizen is empowered, celebrated, and contributes significantly to our nation's collective glory. Our champions have not merely won a tournament; they have broken barriers and shattered stereotypes, inspiring countless individuals across our nation and beyond," she said. The contingent consisted of 10 players and seven support staff, fully supported by the Sports Ministry. The minister highlighted that the Gothia Cup's focus on empowering individuals with diverse cognitive abilities demonstrates the transformative power of sports in advancing health, education, and leadership. Khadse added, 'The Gothia Cup triumph stands as a testament to the collaborative strength of government, corporates, and sports federations. This support ecosystem, nurtured by Special Olympics Bharat under the leadership of Mallika Nadda, with vital corporate backing, ensures that every victory, every effort, is truly 'ours' – a triumph for all of India." This edition of the Gothia Cup saw participation from over 1900 teams from more than 70 countries, making it the world's largest and most inclusive youth football tournament. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.