Shahid Afridi Reacts After Indian Players Pull Out Of India vs Pakistan World Championship of Legends

Pakistan Champions' skipper Shahid Afridi has expressed deep disappointment over the cancellation of the high-profile India vs Pakistan match in the World Championship of Legends (WCL), blaming political undercurrents for what he sees as a blow to the spirit of sportsmanship.

The match, set to take place in Birmingham, was scrapped after India Champions' captain Shikhar Dhawan refused to take the field against Pakistan, citing national sentiment. Other Indian players, including Yuvraj Singh and the Pathan brothers, followed suit-forcing the organisers to cancel the fixture.

Afridi, who has long championed the idea of separating politics from cricket, didn't mince words in his response.

"We are here to play cricket, and I've always maintained that politics and sport should not mix," he said. "A player should be a good ambassador for their country, not someone who brings embarrassment."

The former Pakistan captain took particular issue with the timing of India's withdrawal, suggesting that the Indian team's actions were both disruptive and avoidable.

"If they didn't want to play, they should have said so before arriving," Afridi stated. "They came here, attended practice sessions, and then suddenly pulled out. That's not how professional sport works."

Afridi also hinted at the role of online sentiment in shaping the outcome, suggesting the backlash on social media may have spooked the Indian camp.

"Without that social media noise, the match might have gone ahead," he said. "It's unfortunate that one dissenting voice can derail an entire sporting event."

The veteran all-rounder seemed particularly critical of Dhawan, referring to him as a "bad egg" and alluding to the fact that Dhawan had expressed discomfort with facing Pakistan months earlier.

Meanwhile, Dhawan stood firm on his position, posting on social media:

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

("The step I took on May 11, I still stand by it. My country is everything to me-nothing comes before it.")

Despite past political statements of his own, Afridi emphasised that cricket should be used to build bridges, not widen divides.

"Sports bring people closer. If we keep letting politics get in the way, how can we move forward?" he questioned. "Unless we engage in dialogue, things will only get worse."

Afridi also reflected personally on the controversy, saying he would have stayed away had he known his presence would lead to the cancellation.

"If I had known that this match would be called off because of me, I wouldn't have even gone to the ground. What is Shahid Afridi compared to cricket? Nothing."

In a strong concluding message, Afridi reminded everyone that cricket is larger than individual opinions or geopolitical tensions.

"Cricket is bigger than me, bigger than any one player. The game should never be sacrificed for politics," he said.