India vs Pakistan WCL Match Rocked by Player Withdrawals After Pahalgam Attack
In a dramatic twist just days before one of cricket’s most anticipated clashes, legendary Indian players Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Yusuf Pathan have reportedly pulled out of the upcoming India vs Pakistan match in the World Championship of Legends 2025. This decision follows a wave of online backlash and heightened national tensions after the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
The withdrawal of these cricket veterans has cast a long shadow over the nostalgic tournament designed to reunite former stars of the game. While official confirmation remains pending, news outlets have echoed concerns raised by both fans and dignitaries about the optics of sporting engagements with Pakistan amid current events.
Timeline of Events
- In April 2025, former Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi stirred controversy with public celebrations on social media, criticizing Indian leadership, shortly after violent incidents along the border.
- The attack in Pahalgam triggered severe emotional and political responses across India, reviving long-held frustrations tied to India-Pakistan relations.
- By the weekend leading into the match on July 20, reports began surfacing that Indian cricketers would withdraw from the game as a response to both the attack and public sentiment against engaging with Pakistan in a high-profile sporting event.
Official Statements
While Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Yusuf Pathan have not personally issued public statements confirming their departures from the World Championship of Legends, several media agencies confirmed their absence citing reliable sources with close ties to the players.
“It’s about standing with our people, especially when emotions are raw and timelines don’t give space for healing,” a source reportedly close to one of the players said. “It isn’t an anti-sport statement but a pro-sentiment one.”
Even though cricket has always been a unifying force between nations, such tense moments have a way of upending the game’s softer side. That’s… sort of the story here — a clash between pride and sportsmanship, where the scale is tricky to balance.
Cricket Meets Public Sentiment
Reaction on social media has been explosive, particularly following the release of team lists that included Indian legends like Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, and Shikhar Dhawan. For some fans, it was difficult to reconcile the presence of these personalities in a match against Pakistan so soon after lives were lost in Pahalgam.
- Trending tweets accused players of overlooking “national dignity.”
- Fan clubs urged stars to “bow out respectfully.”
- Videos calling for a boycott of the match circulated across multiple platforms.
In contrast, not all reactions were hostile. Some pointed to the potential for cricket to act as balm during difficult times. But, again, timing seems to be the decisive factor here. And the timing couldn’t be worse.
Shahid Afridi’s Role in Rising Friction
One recurring name in the anger-fueled conversations online is Shahid Afridi. His behavior following the April incident — where he openly taunted Indian leadership and celebrated events on social media — reopened wounds dating back years, perhaps even decades.
Indian star Shikhar Dhawan was among the first to respond publicly, posting a strong note saluting the Indian Army and reminding his followers that certain moments call for clarity over camaraderie. Whether that post tipped the scale internally among Indian players is unclear, but sentiment shifted heavily in the following days.
The Match That’s Now More Than a Game
The World Championship of Legends (WCL) is designed to celebrate the past — an event filled with nostalgia, camaraderie, and top-tier cricketing skills from players who’ve already given their prime years to the sport. It’s supposed to be fun.
This year’s edition, set at Edgbaston, features former champions from India, Pakistan, England, West Indies, South Africa, and Australia. High-profile names like AB de Villiers, Eoin Morgan, Brett Lee, Dwayne Smith, and Shahid Afridi himself are part of the marquee attraction.
But that sentiment is being challenged. The India vs Pakistan fixture isn’t just a crowd-puller — it’s often seen as an act of soft diplomacy or resistance, depending on where one stands. This time, it appears to have tilted toward the latter. Or maybe it’s just a moment too soon.
Community Response
Beyond social media, public figures and former cricketers have weighed in. Not everyone agrees with the withdrawals, but few deny the emotional pull of the Pahalgam incident. Private cricketing forums and WhatsApp groups, from what we’ve gathered, are split down the middle.
There’s empathy — but there’s also fatigue. One retired player mentioned quietly: “We’ve played through wars, protests, heartbreak. But this time… it feels personal.”
What’s Next?
As of now, the match is still set to take place on July 20 at Edgbaston. Organisers have not issued any changes to fixtures or ticketing, insisting that the game remains a neutral sporting event not influenced by national politics.
Yet the elephant in the room remains. More withdrawals could follow — or maybe not. Players who continue might face criticism, or they may be seen as ambassadors of peace. It’s unclear. What we do know: this match is under unprecedented scrutiny, and its impact will be measured in more than just runs or wickets.
Final Thoughts
Cricket between India and Pakistan has always been more than just a sport. It reflects the pulse of a region rich with passion and history — and sometimes, pain. Whether the game unifies or divides this time will depend on what unfolds not just on the field, but in the hearts of millions watching.
For now, the ball is in play — and it’s spinning unpredictably.
