Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has reacted to the cancellation of the highly anticipated Pakistan vs India clash in the World Championship of Legends (WCL).

 

The match was scheduled to take place on Sunday in Birmingham but was called off following opposition from Indian players over Afridi's inclusion in the Pakistani lineup.

 

Speaking after the match was called off, Afridi said the tournament had been going well and praised the team. "The WCL was planned for three weeks, and it’s wrapping up in two, but we’ve enjoyed it. I’ll give full credit to Kamil Khan (owner of Pakistan Champions), who led the team under pressure for two months and helped us build a solid combination. We won our first match, and there was a lot of excitement for the second. Today, we were supposed to be on the field in front of 17 to 18 thousand fans. It would’ve been a great match to watch, and that’s a big disappointment."

 

Commenting on the controversy that led to the match being called off, Afridi said, "I think the Indian team was disappointed because of just one player’s objection. They came here to play, and it’s upsetting that such a situation arose. That’s why I keep saying that if you’re a country’s ambassador, then act like one. Don’t act like you’re not. Ambassadors have fans an followers, and they represent their people."

 

Afridi said he often travels abroad and meets communities that are eager to see cricket grow. "I’ve had great interactions with cricket-loving communities in places like the US. We’ve improved relations in the past through cricket, even when political conditions weren’t ideal. I always say there’s nothing better than sports diplomacy. It brings people closer."

 

He added, "If you bring politics into everything, how will you move forward? Until we sit together and communicate, problems will only increase. The reason we come to play cricket is so that we can meet one-on-one, have conversations, and connect. But sometimes, one bad egg spoils everything."

 

When asked how he felt knowing that the match may have been cancelled because of him, Afridi responded, "If I had known the match was being stopped because of me, I would have stayed away from the ground. But the match should have happened. Cricket is important. It’s bigger than us. It comes before everything. If one person refuses to play against Pakistan, then don’t play, but the sport must go on. Sports is bigger than any one individual."

 

The clash was officially cancelled after tournament organizers issued a statement expressing regret over the development. According to sources, Indian players including Shikhar Dhawan, Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, and Harbhajan Singh opposed the match, demanding that Afridi not be included in the playing XI.

 

Indian media also stirred up controversy, questioning the need for such a match. Under growing pressure, the organizers eventually decided to cancel the fixture.

 

Despite the setback, the WCL will continue as planned. Pakistan, led by Mohammad Hafeez, defeated England in the opening fixture.