Latest news with #ShahidAfridi
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Afridi slams India over cancelled WCL match
Former skipper Shahid Afridi is at the centre of the WCL controversy for being his outspoken self. PHOTO: WCL The high-voltage World Championship of Legends clash between Pakistan and India was cancelled under dramatic circumstances on Sunday, and former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has pointed fingers - albeit indirectly - at one individual whom he labelled a "rotten egg". "We came here to play cricket, not politics. But one rotten egg destroyed the match," Afridi told Telecom Asia Sport ( during a media interaction. "Players should act as ambassadors of their countries, not as embarrassments." Although Afridi refrained from naming the player, sources indicate he was referring to former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who, along with five other Indian players - Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Shikhar Dhawan, Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan - reportedly refused to play due to Afridi's presence in the Pakistan team. The tension stems from the aftermath of the April 22 terror attacks in Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed 26 people. India blamed Pakistan-based militants, prompting missile and drone strikes across the border. Pakistan responded with counterattacks. The escalation, which temporarily subsided through international intervention - notably by US President Donald Trump - appears to have spilled into the sporting arena. Afridi, who was active on social media during the hostilities, had been a vocal critic of India's actions. This reportedly irked several Indian players, especially Harbhajan, leading to their collective decision to pull out just before the match. "They were here and even trained a day earlier," Afridi revealed. "If they had any objection to me, they could have just said it - I wouldn't have even gone to the stadium. I had a shoulder injury and was not going to play anyway." Afridi further claimed that some Indian players were willing to honour the commitment but were overruled. "Just because of one player who refused to budge, the others backed out. I had already conveyed that I was not playing, so there was no reason for this last-minute drama." The abandoned match disappointed a crowd of over 17,000 fans in Birmingham, who were looking forward to a rare India-Pakistan encounter in the legends format. "This was meant to be a game for fun - a spectacle. But if you keep mixing politics with sport, cricket will always suffer," Afridi said. "In places like the UK, USA and Canada, Indians and Pakistanis live side by side and want these matches. It's time to stop using cricket as a political pawn." Afridi pointed out that the two nations recently competed in volleyball and hockey without incident. "There seems to be a problem only when it's cricket. Why? That's a question India must answer." Pakistan team owner Kamil Khan said discussions with tournament organisers are ongoing. "We want the two points since we didn't forfeit the match," he said. "If Pakistan and India meet in the semi-finals, the match will likely be avoided. But if it's the final - well, that's something we need to decide soon." Afridi ended with a call for renewed sporting diplomacy: "Sports has always helped build bridges. If both countries want to move forward, they must talk - not talking will only deepen the divide."
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Did Ajay Devgn really meet Shahid Afridi after the Pahalgam attack? The truth behind the viral photo
Months after the recent Pahalgam terror attack that left the world terrified, a photo featuring Bollywood star Ajay Devgn with Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi is circulating widely on social media, sparking widespread speculation. The image is prompting many to question whether the two have met after the incident, triggering a wave of online debate. In response, fact-checkers are investigating the claims to uncover the real story behind the viral picture. Did Ajay Devgn meet Shahid Afridi after the Pahalgam attack? Here's the truth Former Indian cricket stars took a firm and united stance by opting out of a scheduled match against Pakistan in the ongoing World Championship of Legends (WCL), currently underway in Birmingham. The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash was set for Sunday, but due to ongoing political tensions between the two nations, the cricket veterans chose not to participate. Ajay Devgan meets Shahid Afridi happily. These celebs desh bhakti will remain for PR only, rest they will do anything for money and don't care about the people of the country. You can't trust on any Bollywood celebrities, Now Ajay Devgan is talking with Pakistani terrorist Shahid Afridi. Any words for these celebrities! Notable names like Harbhajan Singh, Yusuf Pathan, and Shikhar Dhawan, among others, pulled out of the match. Amid this, a photo of Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn with former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi began making the rounds on social media, sparking debate and confusion. The timing of the photo's circulation led many to believe it was recent, especially given the current political sensitivities. However, the truth is that the viral image causing the uproar is not from the current event but dates back to the 2024 edition of the World Championship of Legends. Ajay Devgn is the co-owner of WCL According to the official WCL website, Harshit Tomar is the founder and owner of the World Championship of Legends, while Bollywood star Ajay Devgn serves as the co-owner. A celebrated name in Indian cinema, Ajay Devgn brings his immense star power and strategic vision to the league. With a career of over thirty years as an acclaimed actor, producer, and entrepreneur, he uses his love for sports and entertainment to help grow WCL into a global stage that honors cricketing legends and their lasting legacy.
Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
‘Be a good ambassador, not an embarrassment to your country': Shahid Afridi after India-Pakistan WCL match cancellation
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi took a jibe at former Indian cricketers after many of them decided to opt out of the India vs Pakistan Champions match, which eventually resulted in the cancellation of the marquee clash between the two arch-rivals at the second edition of the World Championship of Legends. The India vs Pakistan Champions match was slated to be held at Edgbaston on Sunday and was cancelled by the organisers after several India Champions stars called for a boycott of their opening contest in the tournament. Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan announced his decision not to feature in the match in Birmingham late on Saturday through social media, owing to the geopolitical conflicts that have arisen post the Pahalgam terror attacks in April this year. India stars Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan, and Yusuf Pathan had also pulled out of the Pakistan match. '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. 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,' said Afridi while speaking to the media. The former Pakistan all-rounder said, had he known about this outcome, he would have avoided being at the venue altogether. '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 added. Kamil Khan, the owner of Pakistan Champions, has confirmed that the WCL will continue according to the roster decided, with no changes. 'All the remaining matches are taking place. The tournament is proceeding as scheduled, with no changes. As for the semifinals and final, we're currently saying that if we make it to the semifinals, there will be four teams and we will avoid matches between the two teams,' Kamil said.
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Did Ajay Devgn interact with Shahid Afridi? Here's the TRUTH behind the viral PICS causing a stir on the internet
Just ahead of the release of his his film 'Son Of Sardar 2', Ajay Devgn is under controversy for his viral photos with Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi . These photos see Ajay happily laughing and interacting with the cricketer and this comes after Shahid Afridi's derogatory remarks about the Indian army after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor. He even held a victory parade after the ceasefire. Netizens are angry on Ajay on seeing his photos with him. However, here's the truth to it. These photos are going viral amdist the cancellation of the India Vs Pakistan match at the World Championship of Legends (WCL 2025. India and Pakistan were to play against each other at Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham on Sunday, 20 July. But the match was cancelled. While people think that these photos are from WCL 2025, these photos are actually from WCL 2024, much before the Pahalgam attack and rising tensions between India and Pakistan. Ajay is the co-owner of the tournament and hence he was present at the inaugural season last year in Edgbaston. India won the final against Pakistan during that tournament. A user posted a screenshot of clarification from @grok on X (formerly Twitter) and said, 'Ajay Devgan met Shahid Afridi during the World Championship of Legends in Birmingham, 2024.' On work front, Ajay is gearing up for the release of 'Son Of Sardar 2' which stars Mrunal Thakur opposite him. The film also stars Ravi Kishan, Kubra Sait, Deepak Dobrial among others. The film was supposed to release on July 25 but it has now been shifted to August 1. Netizens reacted to this push in the film's release date and felt that this is due to the fact that 'Saiyaara' is working very well at the box office and might continue to do well even this whole week and second weekend.
India.com
15 hours ago
- Sport
- India.com
Shahid Afridis Explosive Comment Triggers India Legends Boycott Of WCL 2025 IND vs PAK Clash
In a tournament meant to unite cricket's greatest, the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 witnessed its most divisive moment. The much-hyped India vs Pakistan clash was cancelled, not because of weather or scheduling, but due to politics, provocation, and patriotism. At the heart of the storm? Shahid Afridi. Following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which claimed 26 lives, India launched Operation Sindoor, a swift and decisive military response. In the aftermath, while tensions between the two nations were already high, it was Afridi's controversial and inflammatory remarks that seemed to pour salt into national wounds. Shahid Afridi's Outburst: 'Nalayeq Ho, Nikamme Ho' Afridi, never one to mince words, launched a scathing attack on the Indian Army during a Pakistani TV appearance. Mocking their capabilities, he questioned how such a tragedy occurred under the watch of '8 lakh soldiers,' calling them 'inefficient and useless.' The statement instantly went viral, triggering outrage among Indian fans, veterans, and—most notably—the legends slated to represent India at the WCL. His provocative rhetoric didn't stop there. Afridi was later seen leading a celebratory rally in Pakistan after the ceasefire, further enraging Indian sentiment. India's Response: Pride Over Play Shikhar Dhawan was the first to take a stand. In a heartfelt message, the India Champions opener announced his withdrawal from the match, citing national emotion and the need to honor those lost in Pahalgam. Soon, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Yusuf Pathan, and Irfan Pathan followed suit. According to sources close to the team, the players had no intention of making it personal with Afridi—but his comments became symbolic of everything they found unacceptable. The issue wasn't about facing Afridi, but about representing a united front against perceived insensitivity. With so many high-profile players opting out, organizers were left with no choice but to cancel the marquee fixture, awarding two points to Pakistan. Afridi Hits Back: "Be Ambassadors, Not Embarrassments" Never one to stay silent, Shahid Afridi launched a counterattack. He accused the Indian players of mixing politics with sports and called the boycott an 'embarrassment for their country.' 'If they didn't want to play, they should have said so before arriving. They came, practiced, and then walked away. This isn't how professionals behave,' he stated. Afridi insisted cricket should rise above politics, claiming he would've withdrawn if informed in advance. 'What is Shahid Afridi in front of cricket? Nothing,' he humbly added—though not without aiming another veiled jab at an unnamed Indian player he dubbed a 'bad egg.' The Bigger Picture: More Than Just One Man While Afridi's name dominated headlines, Indian players clarified—privately and publicly—that the boycott wasn't just about him. The match represented more than a rivalry; it was a moral choice made in the wake of national tragedy. This was not simply a refusal to shake hands with a controversial rival. It was a collective stand against a country perceived to be complicit—or at the very least indifferent—toward terror originating from its soil. What Now for WCL 2025? Despite the drama, the WCL continues. Pakistan were awarded the points, and tournament co-owner Kamil Khan confirmed that efforts would be made to avoid India-Pakistan clashes in later rounds—unless both teams reach the final. But this incident has cast a long shadow. The next Indo-Pak encounter, if it happens, may not just be a cricket match—it'll be a litmus test of public sentiment, diplomacy, and personal conviction.
