When cricket fans tuned in expecting a clash of legends at the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025, they were instead met with disappointment—and controversy. The much-awaited India-Pakistan encounter was cancelled abruptly. Now, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has broken his silence, lashing out at Indian players for what he calls “politics overshadowing sport.”
The cancellation came amid heightened geopolitical tensions following the recent Pahalgam attacks and Operation Sindoor. Several Indian players, including Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Yusuf Pathan reportedly opted out of the game, citing public sentiment. While official confirmations were few, Shikhar Dhawan publicly shared an email with organizers declaring his withdrawal, calling it a personal decision in light of recent events.
But for Shahid Afridi, the turn of events was both disheartening and unnecessary.
“We are here to play cricket,” he told reporters, visibly frustrated. “Cricket should rise above politics. A player must act like an ambassador, not someone who becomes a source of embarrassment for their country.”
Afridi didn’t hold back. He questioned the timing of the Indian withdrawals, highlighting the fact that both teams had already arrived, trained, and prepared. “If India didn’t want to play, they should’ve said so before we all came here. What’s the point of pulling out at the last minute after everything’s been arranged?”
