LONDON — Cricket once again faces political interference, as tensions rise ahead of the highly anticipated Pakistan vs India clash in the World Champions of Legends League being held in the United Kingdom.
🇮🇳 Indian Stars Object to Shahid Afridi’s Inclusion
According to sources reported by Dawn News, former Indian cricketers Irfan Pathan and Harbhajan Singh have expressed strong objections to the inclusion of Shahid Afridi in the Pakistani Legends squad. Under reported pressure from the Indian government, both players have warned the tournament management that they will boycott the match if Afridi participates.
This political interference has overshadowed what was expected to be an exciting and symbolic encounter between the two arch-rival cricketing nations.
🏏 Shahid Afridi’s Availability in Doubt
Shahid Afridi, the former Pakistan captain, is currently dealing with an injury and may not play in the upcoming match against India. He also did not feature in the previous match against England.
Nonetheless, the objections by Indian players underscore the sensitive political atmosphere that continues to impact sports diplomacy in South Asia.
🏟 Recent Tensions: First Clash Since Pahalgam Incident
This Legends League match is particularly notable because it would be the first Pakistan-India cricket match since the Pahalgam attack and heightened geopolitical tensions between the two countries. Political sensitivities remain high, which is likely influencing player and management decisions.
🇵🇰 Pakistan’s Strong Line-up in the Legends League
Led by Mohammad Hafeez, the Pakistani squad includes several iconic players such as:
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Shahid Afridi (doubtful due to injury)
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Fawad Alam
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Kamran Akmal
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Imad Wasim
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Shoaib Malik
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Sohail Tanvir
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Wahab Riaz
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Asif Ali
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Aamer Yamin
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Umar Amin
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Roman Raees
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Sharjeel Khan
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Sohail Khan
In their opening game, Pakistan defeated hosts England by 5 runs, showcasing a strong team performance.
📰 Conclusion
The Legends League was designed as a celebration of cricketing history, but it has now become a platform for diplomatic signaling. With political pressures influencing player participation, especially from the Indian side, the spirit of sportsmanship appears to be at risk.
Whether Shahid Afridi plays or not, and whether Irfan Pathan and Harbhajan Singh follow through with their threat, will shape not just the match outcome but also future sporting ties between the two nations.