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News18
4 days ago
- Sport
- News18
'Is Desh Bhakti Only For...': Shikhar Dhawan & Co. Slammed Over WCL Match Vs Pakistan
Last Updated: Shikhar Dhawan and other Indian cricketers have faced criticism for playing against Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends after the Pahalgam attack. Former India cricketer Shikhar Dhawan and a bunch of other players have been grilled on social media as they are all set to take on Pakistan in a classic clash in the World Championship of Legends on Sunday, July 20, in Birmingham, months after the Pahalgam attack, which soured relations between the two countries. This is the second season of the World Championship of Legends, but it is in the news for all the wrong reasons. Besides India and Pakistan, England, the West Indies, South Africa, and Australian players are also featuring in this league. After the Pahalgam attack, many former and current Pakistan players, including Shahid Afridi, were spewing venom against India on social media. Afridi in particular had begun holding victory parades and was even abusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reportedly. After this, Dhawan had protested and had replied to Afridi curtly on social media. 'Kargil mein bhi haraya tha, already itna gire hue ho aur kitna giroge, bewajah comments pass karne se acha hai apne desh ki taraqqi mai dimag lagao @SAfridiOfficial," Dhawan had tweeted in April. But only two months after Operation Sindoor, Dhawan is going to play a game on the same ground as Afridi. Not just Dhawan, but many famous former Indian cricketers, including Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina and Irfan Pathan, are part of this event and will play with Pakistan cricketers like Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik. 'Indian ex-cricketers like Harbhajan, Yuvraj & Dhawan are happily playing WCL matches vs Pakistan in a private league! But when it's public, they scream nationalism," a user tweeted on Friday night. Indian ex cricketers like Harbhajan, Yuvraj & Dhawan are happily playing WCL matches vs Pakistan in a private league! But when it's public, they scream nationalism. Why does the Govt stay silent? Is deshbhakti only for common people, not celebs? Hypocrisy much? — Cricket for her (@coverdrivetoher) July 18, 2025 'Shikhar Dhawan and Afridi did all that fake acting of patriotism in the war just to play against each other again on Sunday. I am saying that again, patriotism is only for the general public," another user tweeted. Shikhar Dhawan and Afridi did all that fake acting of patriotism in war just to play against each other again on Sunday. I am saying that again patriotism is only for normal public . India will also play with Pakistan in Asia cup too . #INDvPAK — kirat.13_ (@kirat8513) July 18, 2025 Ambati Rayudu, Yusuf Pathan, Robin Uthappa and Harbhajan Singh are also part of the Indian squad. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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First Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- First Post
'Shikhar Dhawan and Afridi did all that fake acting': Fans riled up over former India cricketers willing to play against Pakistan in WCL
Ahead of the India vs Pakistan showdown in the World Championship of Legends tournament, Indian fans are upset over former cricketers being ready to compete against Pakistan. read more Former India cricketers, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, and Shikhar Dhawan, have drawn scathing criticism on social media for participating in the World Championship of Legends tournament alongside Pakistan players. The competition includes a respective legends team from both nations, and as per the schedule, the India vs Pakistan clash is slated to take place on Sunday, July 20. As the tournament takes place amid a tenuous phase between the two countries, fans have gone hard on the Indian stalwarts for getting onboard with the competition, where they will have to play against Pakistan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Read | Asia Cup in further doubt as BCCI boycotts ACC meeting in Bangladesh, asks for change in venue: Report Shikhar Dhawan, Yuvraj Singh, and Harbhajan Singh face fans' anger The situation brought Shikhar Dhawan to the centre stage as the cricketer was quite vocal on X when a war-like situation brewed between India and Pakistan in May. Dhawan traded barbs with former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi as well on the micro-blogging platform as the tension on the border spiked. Ghatiya desh ne fir apna ghatiyapan poori duniya ke aage dikha diya. #Pakistan#Ceasefire — Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) May 10, 2025 However, within a couple of months, Dhawan appears to have moved past the disagreement and is now willing to share space with Afridi on the field. Users on social media didn't let it go unnoticed, questioning the former Indian cricketer about the contradiction between his previous statements and current actions. Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh also faced criticism as they had previously posted messages of patriotism but are now set to compete against Pakistan on July 20. Indian ex cricketers like Harbhajan, Yuvraj & Dhawan are happily playing WCL matches vs Pakistan in a private league! But when it's public, they scream nationalism. Why does the Govt stay silent? Is deshbhakti only for common people, not celebs? Hypocrisy much? — Cricket for her (@coverdrivetoher) July 18, 2025 Shikhar Dhawan and Afridi did all that fake acting of patriotism in war just to play against each other again on Sunday. I am saying that again patriotism is only for normal public . India will also play with Pakistan in Asia cup too . #INDvPAK — kirat.13_ (@kirat8513) July 18, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Cricket has always been at the receiving end of the acrimony shared by India and Pakistan. Subsequently, more than a decade has passed since a bilateral series between the two took place. However, the arch-rivals often collide in international tournaments like the ICC ODI World Cup and ICC T20 World Cup.
India.com
02-07-2025
- Sport
- India.com
Report: India-Pakistan Showdown Confirmed In Asia Cup 2025, Neutral Venue Close to Selection
Men's Asia Cup 2025 is all set to begin on September 4. Amidst significant uncertainties surrounding the fate of the Asia Cup 2025, according to Sports Tak, Asia cup is confirmed and will be played at a neutral venue. The report further states that the tournament will be most likely played in UAE. This time the highly anticipated editions will be played in T20 Format. India vs Pakistan First Clash After Op Sindoor The reports suggest that India vs Pakistan will be played on September 7 in Dubai, the same venue where they played their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 group stage match. The final will be played on September 21. The official schedule and the confirmation of the league is yet to be announced. Apart from India and Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and UAE will be a part of the tournament. The tournament follows the group stage and Super Fours format. India's One Sided Wins Against Pakistan While on paper and the hype around it India vs Pakistan promises to be a thriller encounter breaking all the viewership records, on the field it is hardly a battle nowadays, India has consistently defeated the Pakistan team be it any format. India enter the Asia Cup 2025 as the defending champions, having clinched the title in the previous edition with a dominant 10-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the ODI format. The last time India and Pakistan faced off in an Asia Cup encounter was in Colombo, where India delivered a crushing performance. Centuries from Virat Kohli and KL Rahul powered India to a massive 356/2, before Kuldeep Yadav's five-wicket haul dismantled Pakistan for just 128, sealing a commanding 228-run victory.
Hindustan Times
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
How Akshay Kumar played cupid in Housefull 2 co-star Asin and husband Rahul Sharma's love story; viral video
After finding her footing in the South film industry, actor Asin made her Bollywood debut opposite Mr Perfectionist Aamir Khan in 2008 with Ghajini. She instantly became a national crush with her pretty smile and impactful acting chops. But 7 years later, Asin retired from acting soon after getting married to Micromax co-founder Rahul Sharma. Well, a few months ago Rahul graced YouTuber Raj Shamani's podcast where he called Asin's Housefull 2 co-star Akshay Kumar the cupid in their love story. This segment of the podcast has now resurfaced on social media and is going viral, leaving fans gushing about Asin's real-life fairytale. Talking about how he first met his now wife Asin, Rahul shared, 'Of course, cupid was our great friend Akshay Kumar. We were going for an India vs Pakistan match, there was his movie coming up which was Housefull (2) and she was acting in the movie. Then Akshay said there's this movie coming, we want to promote the movie and since Micromax was the sponsor of Asia cup, it was happening in Dhaka, Bangladesh.' For the uninitiated, Akshay and his wife Twinkle Khanna were the first celebs to endorse Rahul's brand. The cast of Housefull 2 (2012) then joined Rahul in Dhaka for promotions. Rahul and Asin's interaction was basic during the trip, but it was later that Akshay told Rahul, 'This is a girl which is very very simple, very down to earth, very basic very similar to you. Comes, just works and goes back, very professional and family is very similar, mother is a doctor, father is into services, so fantastic.' Rahul remembered, 'Then he (Akshay) gave her (Asin) number to me and my number to her.' When asked why, Rahul replied, 'Because he felt, you know, there is something common in both of us, we both come from the same value, background and that's why.' Today, Asin and Rahul have been happily married for 9 long years and are proud parents to their 7-year-old daughter Arin. In the comment section of this viral video, many fans are now rightly calling Akshay Kumar a successful matchmaker.
Express Tribune
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Seifert blitz helps NZ crush Pak
A destructive Tim Seifert ensured New Zealand made short work of their 129-run target to win the final Twenty20 against Pakistan by eight wickets on Wednesday and take the series 4-1. Seifert, who made an unbeaten 97 off 38 deliveries, set the big-hitting tone in Wellington with 18 off the first over by Jahandad Khan. Fellow opener Finn Allen followed with 14 in the second over from Mohammad Ali. When Jahandad returned in the sixth over Seifert was even more belligerent when he belted 25, including three sixes. Seifert's rollicking innings included six fours and 10 sixes. Allen compiled a bright 27 from 12 deliveries, including five fours and a six, before he was first to fall in the seventh over when New Zealand had reached 93. Mark Chapman had a short stay and was gone for three before Seifert and Daryl Mitchell (two not out) brought the hosts home as they finished 131-2. Pakistan, batting first, struggled before reaching 128-9 on the back of a mid-order rally by captain Salman Agha and Shadab Khan. The pair came together at 52-5 and put on 54 for the sixth wicket, refusing to be pressured by the New Zealand pace attack which dominated the first half of the innings. Shadab put on 28 off 20 deliveries, including five boundaries, while Salman scored 51 off 39. Both fell to Jimmy Neesham, the pick of the New Zealand bowlers with impressive figures of 5-22, his maiden five-wicket bag in T20Is, from his four overs. Jacob Duffy, who took 2-18, started the Pakistan batting rout when he claimed the first wicket in the second over with the removal of Hasan Nawaz for his third duck in the series. He added Omair Yousuf in his following over as Pakistan struggled to cope with Duffy's swing and seam movement, as well as the bounce generated by Will O'Rourke and Ben Sears. New Zealand, who won the toss, made one change for the match with Sears coming in for Zak Foulkes. Pakistan made five changes with Omair, Usman Khan, Jahandad, Sufyan Moqim and Mohammad Ali all coming in. Pakistan T20I captain Salam Ali Agha despite losing the series remained optimistic to improve with the young lot in the future. "They were outstanding," Salam praised New Zealand after the game. "We had some positives. Hasan batted well, Sufiyan did well... When we were coming here, we know it's a young side, focus is Asia cup and World cup." "We will give them more games and when they have experience they will come good. I did alright but it doesn't matter when you lose the series," he added. When asked about the upcoming ODI series, he said it is a completely different game with a mix of experienced campaigners. "It's going to be a good series (ODI). It will be a different ball game and it's a completely different team," he added. Meanwhile, New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell praised the whole bowling unit, who performed exceptionally well on friendly wickets. "Whole bowling unit has been outstanding. We played on very friendly wickets for the seamers," he said. "Jakob stood out which has been great. The way we have been able to rotate players, everyone stood up. "Obviously missing a few guys but it's great to be winning series. (happy with) consistency; the way we bounced back from Auckland and we have been pretty clinical in other games," he added. The teams now move onto a one-day international series starting in Napier on Saturday.
