Afridi Reacts to WCL Match Cancellation; Tournament to Proceed

BIRMINGHAM: Following the last-minute cancellation of the highly anticipated World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 match between Pakistan Champions and India Champions at Edgbaston on Sunday, former all-rounder Shahid Afridi has shared his thoughts.

Reports indicate that the match was called off due to the unwillingness of Indian players, including Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Shikhar Dhawan, to participate, supposedly due to emerging tensions between the two nations.

During a recent media briefing, Afridi highlighted the significance of keeping sports independent of political matters.

“We are here for cricket, and I’ve consistently advocated for the separation of cricket from politics, emphasizing its progression. A player should serve as an exemplary representative, not a source of national embarrassment,” Afridi stated.

He also voiced criticism regarding the Indian team’s abrupt shift in attitude concerning their scheduled match against Pakistan Champions.

“Our purpose here is to engage in cricket. If [India] harbored reservations about playing against Pakistan, they should have declined before arriving. Having arrived and participated in practice sessions, they then reversed their decision abruptly,” he added.

Afridi also expressed his astonishment upon learning about the alleged preconditions set by India for the match to proceed, one of which purportedly stipulated that Afridi neither participate in nor attend the stadium.

“I had no intention of playing regardless,” Afridi remarked, dismissing the condition with sarcasm.

Pakistan Champions proprietor Kamil Khan verified that the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 will proceed as planned, without any alterations to the tournament schedule.

Addressing concerns regarding potential matchups during the knockout rounds, he assured that necessary decisions would be made should both teams advance.

“All remaining matches will proceed as scheduled, without any changes. Regarding the semifinals and final, we are currently postulating that if we qualify for the semifinals, comprising four teams, we will circumvent matches between the two sides,” he stated, potentially alluding to the conflicting teams.

He also addressed the allocation of points for the canceled match.

“If we progress to the final, decisions concerning that matter will be made subsequently. As for the canceled match, the two points will be awarded to us, as rightfully deserved according to regulations,” he affirmed.

Afridi, 48, further underscored the cohesive influence of sports and the necessity for transparent dialogue to resolve disagreements.

“Sports fosters unity, but when politics permeates everything, progress becomes challenging. Meaningful resolutions require dialogue and open communication, as a lack thereof only exacerbates issues,” he commented.

Reflecting on the essence of sportsmanship, he emphasized the importance of respectful and cordial interactions among players.

“We engage in cricket for camaraderie, one-on-one interactions, and friendly exchanges. However, occasional disruptive elements can undermine the experience for everyone,” he added.

Afridi also addressed the controversy surrounding the match cancellation, stating that had he been aware of being the cause, he would have abstained from attending the venue altogether.

“Had I known my presence was the reason for the match’s cancellation, I would have avoided the ground entirely. Cricket should take precedence. What significance does Shahid Afridi hold in comparison to cricket? None,” he asserted.

“The game is paramount. As a sport, cricket reigns supreme. Introducing politics or an Indian cricketer refusing to play against Pakistan is inconsequential; they can simply abstain. Sports, particularly cricket, transcends personal considerations, including Shahid Afridi,” he concluded.