Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has voiced his disappointment over the cancellation of the highly anticipated India-Pakistan match in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) in London. Afridi emphasized that sports should not be mixed with politics, stating that players are ambassadors of the game, not causes of national embarrassment.

🔴 Match Cancelled Amid Political Tensions

India and Pakistan were set to clash on Sunday, July 20, in the ongoing World Legends Championship. However, several Indian players, including Shikhar Dhawan, withdrew from the match, citing the terrorist attack in Pahalgam (April 2025) and current India-Pakistan geopolitical tensions.

🗣️ Afridi’s Reaction

Afridi expressed his frustration:

“We’ve come to England to play cricket. If India didn’t want to play, they should have made that clear before arriving. You've already held practice sessions, and now you suddenly back out in a day?”

He added that politicizing sports sends the wrong message and hurts the spirit of international cricket.

📢 Official Statement by Organizers

The WCL organizers confirmed on social media that the match was cancelled, adding:

“The game was meant to revive cherished India-Pakistan cricket memories, but we respect the decision.”

Despite the setback, the tournament will proceed as scheduled, with the final match set for August 2.

👥 Teams and Players

• India Champions Squad: Led by Yuvraj Singh, includes Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa, and Varun Aaron.
• Pakistan Champions Squad: Captained by Shahid Afridi, includes Younis Khan, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Tanvir, and Kamran Akmal.

Actor Ajay Devgn is one of the co-owners of this championship. The second season of WCL began on June 18 at Edgbaston.

🇮🇳 Indian Players Refused to Play

• Shikhar Dhawan officially stated that he would not play against Pakistan due to national security concerns following the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor.
• Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan also refused to participate but did not issue formal statements.

🌍 Broader Impact on India-Pakistan Sports

Although India and Pakistan do not currently have bilateral cricket relations, they continue to face each other in international events like the World Cup and Olympics.

Interestingly, the Indian government has approved Pakistan’s participation in several upcoming tournaments in India, including:

• Hockey Asia Cup (August)
• Junior Hockey World Cup (Nov-Dec)
• Junior Shooting World Cup (September)
• World Para Athletics Championship (October)

Background: Pahalgam Terror Attack

In April 2025, a terrorist attack in Pahalgam claimed the lives of 26 tourists, sparking outrage across India. This tragic incident has had a ripple effect on cultural and sporting exchanges between the two nations.

In summary, Afridi’s comments highlight the ongoing tension between national interests and the global nature of sports. The debate over sports diplomacy between India and Pakistan continues, with cricket once again caught in the middle.