According to reports, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan and Yusuf Pathan first decided to withdraw from the match against Pakistan. This decision was taken due to public displeasure after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April. Although there was no official confirmation about these players, veteran Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan made it clear on his social media that he has decided not to play in the match in view of the current situation between India and Pakistan.
Due to this situation, WCL canceled the match and the organizers apologized for “unknowingly inconvenience” to the Indian legends. Talking to the media, Afridi emphasized the need to keep the game separate from politics. He said, “We have come here to play cricket and I have always said that cricket should be kept away from politics. A player should be a good ambassador of his country, not the reason for embarrassment.”
Former Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi criticized India’s decision taken at the last minute. He said that Indian players had also conducted a practice session against Pakistan Champions before the first match of their tournament. He said, “We have come here to play cricket. [à¤à¤¾à¤°à¤¤] If he did not want to play against Pakistan, then they should have refused before coming here. But now you have come, practiced and then suddenly changed everything in a day. “
Some media reports even suggested that Afridi’s presence was the real reason for the removal of Indian players from the match. 48 -year -old Afridi made an anti -India comment after the Pahalgam attack, which provoked widespread anger. Afridi said that if he had known, he would not have gone on the field. He said, “If I had known that the match is being stopped because of me, I will not go on the field. But cricket should continue. What is Shahid Afridi in front of cricket?”
He further said, “The game comes first. Cricket is the biggest thing in the form of a game. Bringing politics or an Indian cricketer will not play against Pakistan. So don’t play, just sit down. But the game is big, cricket is big, and it is bigger than Shahid Afridi.”