Shahid Afridi Breaks Silence On India vs Pakistan Legends Match Cancellation, Says "One Bad egg..."
Speaking to reporters after the fixture was cancelled, Afridi strangely stressed the need for cricket and politics to be kept apart despite being involved making provocative political statements on multiple occasions in the past.
"We are here to play cricket, and I've always said that cricket should be kept away from politics - it should move forward. A player should be a good ambassador, not a source of embarrassment for their country," Afridi told reporters.
The former Pakistan national team skipper even said that India shouldn't have come to the venue if they didn't want to play.
"We've come here to play cricket. If [India] didn't want to play against Pakistan, they should've refused before coming here. But now you've arrived, even held practice sessions, and then suddenly changed everything in a single day," he added.
If there hadn't been a social media backlash,
Remember, my friend, this match would still be happening.
I would like to request you all for
The same old Facebook trend on
X each repost equals a slap for Shahid Afridi.
Secondly, Shahid Afridi said something in this… pic.twitter.com/MErWmMUtOk
— Akash Srivastava (@isrivastavas) July 21, 2025
Afridi even seemed to have called Dhawan a 'bad egg', as he was the first one to raise objection on the Indo-Pak match in the WCL, doing so for the first time a couple of months ago, before reiterating his stance on Saturday.
"Sports bring people closer, but if politics gets involved in everything, how will we move forward? Until we sit together and discuss issues, nothing will improve - lack of communication only makes things worse," he said. "We've come here to play cricket, to have one-on-one interactions and friendly conversations. But sometimes, there's one rotten egg that spoils everything for everyone else."
"If I had known the match was being stopped because of me, I wouldn't have even gone to the ground. But cricket should go on. What is Shahid Afridi in front of cricket? Nothing," he said.
"The game comes first. As a sport, cricket is the biggest thing. Bringing politics into it or an Indian cricketer saying he won't play against Pakistan - then don't play, just sit out. But sports is bigger, cricket is bigger, and it's bigger than Shahid Afridi too," he concluded.
What Shikhar Dhawan Said On Playing Against Pakistan
On Saturday, taking to social media, Dhawan confirmed his stance on the eve of the contest He said: " Jo Kadam 11 May ko liya, uspe aaj bhi waise hi khada hoon. Mera desh mere liye sab kuch hai, aur desh see badhkar aur kuch nahi hota. (The decision I took on 11 May, I still stand by it. My country is everything to me, and nothing is greater than the country)."
Dhawan wasn't the only Indian player to have refused to play against Pakistan, with the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, the Pathan brothers, etc. also maintaining the same stance. The entire team's decision was communicated to the organisers, hence, the fixture had to be called off.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
30 minutes ago
- India.com
‘We'll crush your economy, impose 500 percent tariff
New Delhi: In a significant bad news for India amid the US-India trade deal talks, Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal have warned countries, including India, of economic sanctions if they continue business with Russia of 500 per cent tariffs. Notably, US President Donald Trump had called for imposing 100 per cent 'secondary tariffs' on Moscow if Russian President Vladimir Putin fails to end the conflict in Ukraine within 50 days Why is US threatening to announce 500 % tariffs on India? As per a joint statement by Graham and Blumenthal, China, India, and Brazil and other nations 'that prop up Putin's war machine' by purchasing 'cheap Russian oil and gas', which that claim is fuelling Putin's effort in the conflict with Russia. It called for the imposition of tariffs as high as 500 per cent on any country that helps Russia. 'The ultimate hammer to bring about the end of this war will be tariffs against countries, like China, India and Brazil, that prop up Putin's war machine by purchasing cheap Russian oil and gas. President Trump's decision to announce the implementation of 100 percent secondary tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil and gas if a peace agreement is not reached in the next 50 days is a real executive hammer to drive the parties to the negotiating table. The goal is not more tariffs and sanctions – the goal is to entice Putin to come to the peace table,' the statement read. What did Trump say on US sanctions? Notably, US President Trump stated during his meeting with the NATO chief that he was 'very unhappy' with Russia. He also announced the imposition of the 100 per cent tariffs on Russia if a peace deal wasn't made within 50 days. How did India respond to US tariff threats? External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had stated earlier this month that the Indian embassy and ambassador have been in touch with Senator Graham regarding the bill on Russia and that 'India will have to cross that bridge if it comes to it.' Most importantly, Jaishankar had stated that India's concerns and interests on energy and security have been made conversant to Graham. (With inputs from agencies)
India.com
30 minutes ago
- India.com
India Were Scared To Set A Target: Harry Brook Sparks Fire Ahead Of India vs England 4th Test
With the fiercely-contested England vs India Test series delicately poised at 2-1 in favour of the hosts, England batter Harry Brook has added spice ahead of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester, by suggesting that India's defensive mindset has only empowered Ben Stokes' side. Speaking at a press conference on the eve of the match, Brook boldly claimed that India's conservative tactics—particularly their reluctance to set chaseable targets—have revealed a sense of fear and hesitation in the visitors' camp. "They were a little bit scared of setting us a total we could potentially get. That played into our favour and gave us confidence," said Brook, referring to India's strategy during the first Test at Edgbaston. These remarks come at a pivotal moment in the series, with England needing just one more win to seal the series, while India must bounce back to take it into a decider at The Oval. On-Field Tension at Lord's: A Spark for England? Beyond strategy, the series has witnessed bubbling tensions—particularly during the third Test at Lord's. Brook recalled the dramatic final session on Day 3, where Jasprit Bumrah's sarcastic claps and heated exchanges with England's openers seemed to fire up the English fielders. "It looked like it was 11 vs 2. That energy made fielding more enjoyable—even if it was tiring," said Brook with a smile, referencing the intense atmosphere as India pressed hard for wickets. While India's aggression may have been meant to unsettle England's batters, Brook believes it backfired. The needle, he says, only motivated England further, tightening their resolve and sharpening their execution on a difficult Day 5 pitch, where they secured a gritty 22-run win defending just 193. Key Moments: Headingley Heroics and Lord's Grit The series has produced vintage Test cricket drama. England's successful fourth-innings chase at Headingley—under immense pressure—was a standout moment. Brook, who has amassed 314 runs at an impressive average of 52.33, including a century, played a pivotal role in that chase. But it was the final day at Lord's that truly highlighted the mental resilience of this English side. Captain Ben Stokes' steely patience and unyielding determination were central to England eking out the last Indian wicket late on Day 5—transforming the match into an instant classic. "That fight and the skills Stokesy showed kept everyone on the edge of their seats," said Brook, summing up what fans and pundits have echoed over the past week. India's Struggles and the Road Ahead India, hampered by injuries and questions around their batting depth, have had flashes of brilliance but struggled to string together a complete performance. Their inability to post or chase challenging totals—combined with England's relentless pressure—has left them trailing in the series. Yet, history has shown India's resilience under pressure, and a spirited comeback at Old Trafford is not out of the question. With players like Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rishabh Pant under the spotlight, India will need a massive response if they hope to level the series and take the battle to The Oval. The Bigger Picture: Test Cricket's Glorious Revival Harry Brook also touched upon the growing buzz around the series from fans, with every match going down to the final hour—an increasingly rare feature in modern Test cricket. "People have said this has been one of the best series they've watched. It's been intense, emotional, and competitive—exactly what Test cricket needs." From thrilling chases to verbal spats, high-quality individual battles to collective grit, the India vs England 2025 Test series is shaping up as a modern classic. And with Brook's comments fanning the flames ahead of the Manchester Test, all eyes will be on Old Trafford as cricket's oldest rivalry writes its next chapter.
New Indian Express
30 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
V S Achuthanandan: A Rebel who redefined Kerala's political battles
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It was V S Achuthanandan's wont to see divides everywhere. Where none existed, he would create one. He would position himself on one side and wage a battle. He has won some; lost some, and transformed himself in the process. His political longevity has surprised and irked many, for he was the archetypal voice of opposition – in his party and the larger society. As CPM state secretary (1980-1992), he ruled with an iron fist. Later on, however, he transformed himself into a critical insider, waging pitched battles against power concentrated in the hands of one-time party proteges. He was a hawk, who wouldn't budge from his notions of doctrinal purity, no matter what. That essentially meant he had to swim against the organisational tide. Though he was one of the 32 founding leaders of CPM in 1964, his deviation from the party line began the very next year. In 1964-65, almost the entire CPM leadership was accused of being Chinese spies and jailed during the India-China war. As a prisoner at the Poojappura Central Prison, VS organised prisoners and exhorted them to donate blood for Indian soldiers. The party prison committee rejected his proposal saying it went against Marxist-Leninist principles.
