Harbhajan Singh, Pathan Brothers Pull Out Of WCL Game Vs Pakistan: Reports
Harbhajan Singh, Ifran Pathan and Yusuf Pathan have reportedly withdrawn their names from the upcoming World Championship of Legends (WCL) game against Pakistan, after facing severe public backlash. Multiple reports suggest that he has made the decision considering the sour political relations between the country after the Pahalgam attack.
India and Pakistan don't play bilateral cricket against each other. There were calls to end all multi-national tournament meetings between the two, as well, after the Pahalgam attack and the ensuing cross-border escalation that saw several Indian lives lost.
'My heart goes out to family members of all those who lost their lives in the dastardly attack. This can't be forgiven," Harbhajan wrote at the time.
The current head coach, Gautam Gambhir, was one of many who asked India to cut all ties, bilateral or not, with the neighbors. Whereas, the India Champions captain in WCL, Yuvraj Singh, Shikhar Dhawan and others engaged in social media wars with the likes of Shahid Afridi over their anti-India commentary.
The same cricketers became the centre of public anger after it was revealed that Afridi was part of the Pakistani team. Some reports suggest that other Indian cricketers might pull out from the tournament, too.
What is WCL and who owns it?
The league is co-owned by rapper and artist Harshit Tomar and Bollywood star Ajay Devgan. The league's website mentions Tomar as the CEO, while both have been seen together in promotional events.
India's WCL Squad
Shikhar Dhawan, Robin Uthappa (WK), Ambati Rayudu, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh (C), Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, Stuart Binny, Vinay Kumar, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla, Siddarth Kaul, Abhimanyu Mithun and Varun Aaron
Who are the other participants?
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) doesn't allow contracted or active Indian men's cricketers to participate in such private leagues (except state-association ones) in the country or outside. Hence, these 'Legends' leagues — there are several of them — contract retired cricketers from all around the globe.
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