'Player Should Ambassadors, Not Embarrassment': Shahid Afridi Responds To India's Refusal To Play Pakistan In WCL 2025

Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi has criticised India's abrupt withdrawal from the much-anticipated World Championship of Legends (WCL) clash against Pakistan, calling the move a setback.

The match, scheduled for Sunday at Edgbaston, was cancelled by tournament organisers after several prominent Indian players backed out at the last moment. The decision wa staken following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, India.

Notable names such as Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, and the Pathan brothers Irfan and Yusuf were among those reported to have opted out. Shikhar Dhawan publicly stated his decision on social media.

“In light of the current geopolitical situation, I have decided not to participate in the India vs Pakistan match,” Dhawan wrote, referencing the heightened tensions following the Pahalgam attack.

'Jo Kadam 11 May Ko Liya...': Shikhar Dhawan Reveals Mail Sent To WCL Organisers After Cancellation Of India Champions vs Pakistan Champions Match

Jo kadam 11 May ko liya, uspe aaj bhi waise hi khada hoon. Mera desh mere liye sab kuch hai, aur desh se badhkar kuch nahi hota.

Jai Hind! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/gLCwEXcrnR

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) July 19, 2025

Afridi Urges Separation of Politics and Sport

Reacting to the turn of events, Afridi voiced his disappointment, urging both nations to keep politics away from the cricket field. The former Pakistan skipper said, “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.”

Did Harbhajan Singh Dine At Pakistani Restaurant In England Amid WCL 2025 Row? Netizens React To Viral Video

Shahid Afridi: “Keep Cricket and Politics Apart” After India Refuses to Play Pakistan in WCL 2025pic.twitter.com/K8i6sYapJ8

— IndiaWarMonitor (@IndiaWarMonitor) July 20, 2025

Afridi was particularly frustrated by the timing of India's decision, noting that Indian players had already begun their preparations for the fixture. He said, “If [India] didn’t want to play against Pakistan, they should’ve refused before coming here,” he said. “But now you’ve arrived, even held practice sessions, and then suddenly changed everything in a single day.”

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Organisers apologise for cancelling India vs Pakistan match

In response to the controversy, WCL organisers issued a statement expressing regret over the developments and apologised for “unintentionally causing discomfort” to the Indian cricket legends. The cancellation marks a disappointing chapter in what was expected to be a nostalgic showdown between former cricketing greats from the subcontinent.