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Express Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Afridi slams India over cancelled WCL match
Former skipper Shahid Afridi is at the centre of the WCL controversy for being his outspoken self. PHOTO: WCL The high-voltage World Championship of Legends clash between Pakistan and India was cancelled under dramatic circumstances on Sunday, and former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has pointed fingers - albeit indirectly - at one individual whom he labelled a "rotten egg". "We came here to play cricket, not politics. But one rotten egg destroyed the match," Afridi told Telecom Asia Sport ( during a media interaction. "Players should act as ambassadors of their countries, not as embarrassments." Although Afridi refrained from naming the player, sources indicate he was referring to former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who, along with five other Indian players - Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Shikhar Dhawan, Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan - reportedly refused to play due to Afridi's presence in the Pakistan team. The tension stems from the aftermath of the April 22 terror attacks in Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed 26 people. India blamed Pakistan-based militants, prompting missile and drone strikes across the border. Pakistan responded with counterattacks. The escalation, which temporarily subsided through international intervention - notably by US President Donald Trump - appears to have spilled into the sporting arena. Afridi, who was active on social media during the hostilities, had been a vocal critic of India's actions. This reportedly irked several Indian players, especially Harbhajan, leading to their collective decision to pull out just before the match. "They were here and even trained a day earlier," Afridi revealed. "If they had any objection to me, they could have just said it - I wouldn't have even gone to the stadium. I had a shoulder injury and was not going to play anyway." Afridi further claimed that some Indian players were willing to honour the commitment but were overruled. "Just because of one player who refused to budge, the others backed out. I had already conveyed that I was not playing, so there was no reason for this last-minute drama." The abandoned match disappointed a crowd of over 17,000 fans in Birmingham, who were looking forward to a rare India-Pakistan encounter in the legends format. "This was meant to be a game for fun - a spectacle. But if you keep mixing politics with sport, cricket will always suffer," Afridi said. "In places like the UK, USA and Canada, Indians and Pakistanis live side by side and want these matches. It's time to stop using cricket as a political pawn." Afridi pointed out that the two nations recently competed in volleyball and hockey without incident. "There seems to be a problem only when it's cricket. Why? That's a question India must answer." Pakistan team owner Kamil Khan said discussions with tournament organisers are ongoing. "We want the two points since we didn't forfeit the match," he said. "If Pakistan and India meet in the semi-finals, the match will likely be avoided. But if it's the final - well, that's something we need to decide soon." Afridi ended with a call for renewed sporting diplomacy: "Sports has always helped build bridges. If both countries want to move forward, they must talk - not talking will only deepen the divide."
India.com
a day ago
- Sport
- India.com
Zee News' No Match With Terror Campaign Wins: India-Pakistan Clash Cancelled, Afridi Rattled As Dhawan Says Nation First
Zee News' bold campaign against the India-Pakistan clash in the World Championship of Legends (WCL), scheduled for July 20, has shown results, as the match was officially cancelled. The move is also seen as a significant victory for public sentiment. Zee News was the first to raise its voice, stating clearly that Indian players should not play against Pakistan, a country that sponsors terrorism and stands against Indian national values. In today's DNA, Zee news, Managing Editor, Rahul Sinha decorded how Zee News Campaign Wins and resultant to cancel India-Pakistan Clash. Watch Today's Full Episode ट्रेन ब्लास्ट के सभी आरोपी..अब 'ईद' मनाएंगे! पाकिस्तानी क्रिकेट का 'मुनीर'..बौखला गया है! 'राज ठाकरे ब्रिगेड' को महिला ने खामोश कर दिया! देखिए DNA LIVE @RahulSinhaTV के साथ#DNA #DNAWithRahulSinha #LocalTrainBlast #WCL #ShahidAfridi #ZeeLive — Zee News (@ZeeNews) July 21, 2025 The campaign gained nationwide support, leading to the cancellation of the match. This has caused visible frustration in former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi, who is now resorting to derogatory remarks against Indian players. His anger surfaced after Indian cricket legends refused to participate in the match, respecting the emotions of the nation. Afridi, who once led rallies in support of terrorists and against India's Operation Sindoor, is now trying to cover his frustration with sugary words like 'friendship' and 'sportsmanship.' But his intentions are under question. DNA previously exposed Afridi's dual face, warning that such personalities use sports as a tool to push propaganda and insult India. Cricketer Shikhar Dhawan, who pulled out of the match, posted on social media stating 'Nation First,' a sentiment that clearly hit Afridi hard. Dhawan has earlier responded strongly to Afridi's anti-India stance, especially after the Pahalgam terror attack, reminding him of India's victory in Kargil and asking him to focus on Pakistan's development.
India.com
2 days ago
- Sport
- India.com
Shahid Afridis Explosive Comment Triggers India Legends Boycott Of WCL 2025 IND vs PAK Clash
In a tournament meant to unite cricket's greatest, the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 witnessed its most divisive moment. The much-hyped India vs Pakistan clash was cancelled, not because of weather or scheduling, but due to politics, provocation, and patriotism. At the heart of the storm? Shahid Afridi. Following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which claimed 26 lives, India launched Operation Sindoor, a swift and decisive military response. In the aftermath, while tensions between the two nations were already high, it was Afridi's controversial and inflammatory remarks that seemed to pour salt into national wounds. Shahid Afridi's Outburst: 'Nalayeq Ho, Nikamme Ho' Afridi, never one to mince words, launched a scathing attack on the Indian Army during a Pakistani TV appearance. Mocking their capabilities, he questioned how such a tragedy occurred under the watch of '8 lakh soldiers,' calling them 'inefficient and useless.' The statement instantly went viral, triggering outrage among Indian fans, veterans, and—most notably—the legends slated to represent India at the WCL. His provocative rhetoric didn't stop there. Afridi was later seen leading a celebratory rally in Pakistan after the ceasefire, further enraging Indian sentiment. India's Response: Pride Over Play Shikhar Dhawan was the first to take a stand. In a heartfelt message, the India Champions opener announced his withdrawal from the match, citing national emotion and the need to honor those lost in Pahalgam. Soon, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Yusuf Pathan, and Irfan Pathan followed suit. According to sources close to the team, the players had no intention of making it personal with Afridi—but his comments became symbolic of everything they found unacceptable. The issue wasn't about facing Afridi, but about representing a united front against perceived insensitivity. With so many high-profile players opting out, organizers were left with no choice but to cancel the marquee fixture, awarding two points to Pakistan. Afridi Hits Back: "Be Ambassadors, Not Embarrassments" Never one to stay silent, Shahid Afridi launched a counterattack. He accused the Indian players of mixing politics with sports and called the boycott an 'embarrassment for their country.' 'If they didn't want to play, they should have said so before arriving. They came, practiced, and then walked away. This isn't how professionals behave,' he stated. Afridi insisted cricket should rise above politics, claiming he would've withdrawn if informed in advance. 'What is Shahid Afridi in front of cricket? Nothing,' he humbly added—though not without aiming another veiled jab at an unnamed Indian player he dubbed a 'bad egg.' The Bigger Picture: More Than Just One Man While Afridi's name dominated headlines, Indian players clarified—privately and publicly—that the boycott wasn't just about him. The match represented more than a rivalry; it was a moral choice made in the wake of national tragedy. This was not simply a refusal to shake hands with a controversial rival. It was a collective stand against a country perceived to be complicit—or at the very least indifferent—toward terror originating from its soil. What Now for WCL 2025? Despite the drama, the WCL continues. Pakistan were awarded the points, and tournament co-owner Kamil Khan confirmed that efforts would be made to avoid India-Pakistan clashes in later rounds—unless both teams reach the final. But this incident has cast a long shadow. The next Indo-Pak encounter, if it happens, may not just be a cricket match—it'll be a litmus test of public sentiment, diplomacy, and personal conviction.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Shahid Afridi Breaks Silence On India vs Pakistan Legends Match Cancellation, Says "One Bad egg..."
The cancellation of the India vs Pakistan match in the World Championship of Legends on Sunday triggered the sports vs politics debate again, with Pakistan Champions captain Shahid Afridi suggesting that the two should be kept separate from each other. Shikhar Dhawan, a member of India Champions' team, categorically said no to playing against Pakistan in the WCL match in Birmingham (England), while a number of other Indian cricketers like Yuvraj Singh, the Pathan brothers, etc. also pulled out. The situation forced the organisers to call off the match. Speaking to reporters after the fixture was cancelled, Afridi strangely stressed the need for cricket and politics to be kept apart despite being involved making provocative political statements on multiple occasions in the past. "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 told reporters. The former Pakistan national team skipper even said that India shouldn't have come to the venue if they didn't want to play. "We've come here to play cricket. If [India] didn't want to play against Pakistan, they should've refused before coming here. But now you've arrived, even held practice sessions, and then suddenly changed everything in a single day," he added. If there hadn't been a social media backlash, Remember, my friend, this match would still be happening. I would like to request you all for The same old Facebook trend on X each repost equals a slap for Shahid Afridi. Secondly, Shahid Afridi said something in this… — Akash Srivastava (@isrivastavas) July 21, 2025 Afridi even seemed to have called Dhawan a 'bad egg', as he was the first one to raise objection on the Indo-Pak match in the WCL, doing so for the first time a couple of months ago, before reiterating his stance on Saturday. "Sports bring people closer, but if politics gets involved in everything, how will we move forward? Until we sit together and discuss issues, nothing will improve - lack of communication only makes things worse," he said. "We've come here to play cricket, to have one-on-one interactions and friendly conversations. But sometimes, there's one rotten egg that spoils everything for everyone else." "If I had known the match was being stopped because of me, I wouldn't have even gone to the ground. But cricket should go on. What is Shahid Afridi in front of cricket? Nothing," he said. "The game comes first. As a sport, cricket is the biggest thing. Bringing politics into it or an Indian cricketer saying he won't play against Pakistan - then don't play, just sit out. But sports is bigger, cricket is bigger, and it's bigger than Shahid Afridi too," he concluded. What Shikhar Dhawan Said On Playing Against Pakistan On Saturday, taking to social media, Dhawan confirmed his stance on the eve of the contest He said: " Jo Kadam 11 May ko liya, uspe aaj bhi waise hi khada hoon. Mera desh mere liye sab kuch hai, aur desh see badhkar aur kuch nahi hota. (The decision I took on 11 May, I still stand by it. My country is everything to me, and nothing is greater than the country)." Dhawan wasn't the only Indian player to have refused to play against Pakistan, with the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, the Pathan brothers, etc. also maintaining the same stance. The entire team's decision was communicated to the organisers, hence, the fixture had to be called off.
India.com
2 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Shahid Afridi Calls This Player ‘Rotten Egg' After India Pulls Out Of WCL Clash Against Pakistan
A highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan at the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 was called off on Sunday, July 20, following a major controversy involving former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi. Several Indian players reportedly opted out of the exhibition match, citing Afridi's past comments against India during sensitive diplomatic moments, particularly following Operation Sindoor. Afridi Calls Out Shikhar Dhawan for India's No-Show Speaking to the media on the scheduled match day, Afridi expressed disappointment over India's withdrawal, directly blaming Shikhar Dhawan for influencing the decision. According to Afridi, Dhawan's open refusal to play in the presence of Afridi led to a domino effect within the Indian camp. "Sports brings countries closer. If politics comes between everything then how will you move forward? But you know, there is always one rotten egg, which spoils everything," Afridi told local reporters, taking a direct dig at Dhawan without naming him initially but later referring to him as the reason behind the fallout. 'Should Have Stayed Home': Afridi Lashes Out at India Afridi went on to call Dhawan an 'embarrassment' and suggested that the entire Indian team should have stayed back in India instead of pulling out at the last minute. "They trained a day before the match. I think that they pulled out just because of one guy. Even the Indian team is very disappointed. They were here to play," he added. He further stated, 'You should be a good ambassador for the country, not an embarrassment.' Afridi's Changing Tone: From Diplomatic to Derogatory Interestingly, Afridi presented himself as a peace-loving cricket ambassador during the press conference. "I came here to play cricket, not politics. If they didn't want to play because of me, I would have stayed home. Cricket should have continued. Who is Shahid Afridi in front of cricket? No one," he said. However, this version of Afridi contradicted his controversial statement from April 2025, where he accused the Indian government of targeting its own citizens in Pahalgam to malign Pakistan. 'India carries out terrorism itself, kills its own people, and then puts the blame on Pakistan,' he had claimed in a Pakistani press interaction. Backlash on Social Media Influenced Decision The cancellation of the India vs Pakistan match at Edgbaston was not solely based on internal team decisions. A massive uproar on Indian social media platforms erupted after the fixture was announced. Many questioned the ethics of former Indian players participating in a match involving Pakistani cricketers while tensions at the border remained high. This was to be the first cricketing face-off between the two countries since Operation Sindoor, an Indian counter-terrorism operation that escalated diplomatic hostilities earlier this year. Indian Players Express Discomfort with Afridi's Presence Sources close to the Indian camp revealed that several players expressed discomfort at sharing the field with Afridi after his remarks against India. Shikhar Dhawan, one of the senior-most players in the squad, took a public stand and declared that he would not take part in the fixture if Afridi was present. The cancellation of this match is a significant setback to efforts aimed at reviving cricketing ties between the two nations. Organizers of WCL 2025 had pinned hopes on the India-Pakistan fixture to bring star power and crowd energy, especially since nearly 18,000 fans were expected to attend the match at Edgbaston.
