Shahid Afridi Breaks Silence After India Withdraw From Pakistan Match In WCL

Birmingham : Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has called for separating sports from politics following the cancellation of a highly anticipated India-Pakistan match in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) on July 20. The match, set to take place at Edgbaston Stadium, was called off after several Indian players withdrew amid significant social media backlash, fueled by tensions stemming from the recent Pahalgam terror attack.

Afridi, speaking to the media, emphasized that cricket should remain free from political influence, stating that players should serve as positive ambassadors for their countries. “We’re here to play cricket, and I’ve always maintained that cricket should be kept away from politics,” he said. He expressed disappointment over the Indian team’s last-minute withdrawal, noting that they had already participated in practice sessions. “If India didn’t want to play against Pakistan, they should have declined earlier, before arriving here,” Afridi added.

The Pakistan Champions squad, led by Afridi, includes notable former players such as Younis Khan, Sohail Tanvir, Wahab Riaz, and Kamran Akmal. The Indian team, featuring stars like Yuvraj Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, and Harbhajan Singh, faced criticism from fans for agreeing to play the match just months after the Pahalgam attack, which heightened geopolitical tensions.

The WCL organizers issued an apology for causing discomfort to Indian players and affecting associated brands, acknowledging the unintended distress caused by scheduling the match. They explained that the decision to proceed with the fixture was influenced by recent sporting engagements between India and Pakistan in other disciplines, such as tennis and volleyball, which suggested a resumption of sporting ties.

ALSO READ : What if India-Pakistan meet in the WCL Semifinal Or Final?

Kamil Khan, owner of the Pakistan Champions, confirmed that the tournament would continue as planned, with no further changes to the schedule. He noted that measures would be taken to avoid India Pakistan matchups in the knockout stages, stating, “If we reach the semifinals, we’ll ensure the two teams don’t face each other.” Khan also affirmed that Pakistan would be awarded two points for the canceled match, per tournament rules.

Afridi reiterated his belief in cricket’s ability to foster unity, urging both nations to engage in dialogue to resolve tensions. “Sports bring people closer, but if politics interferes, progress stalls,” he said, advocating for cricket to remain a platform for goodwill rather than division.