Birmingham, July 20: The India vs Pakistan match in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) is under cloud as five Indian players — Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, and Harbhajan Singh — have reportedly refused to play against a Pakistan side featuring Shahid Afridi.
Afridi, a former Pakistan captain, has made controversial remarks about India in the past and visited Pakistani military sites, actions that have drawn criticism from Indian fans and players. He has also had public spats with Indian cricketers on social media.
As per TelecomAsia.net, the players informed WCL organisers of their unwillingness to participate if Afridi is in the lineup. However, organisers have denied any knowledge of a boycott, stating that the India-Pakistan match, scheduled for Sunday in Birmingham, remains on and is sold out.
The fixture has stirred strong reactions on social media, with fans questioning the timing amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack in April and India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor.
India Legends won the inaugural WCL last year, defeating Pakistan in the final — a match that featured Afridi and the five Indian players now in question.
