Shahid Afridi didn’t hold back in expressing his disappointment after the India Champions team pulled out of their semi-final clash against Pakistan Champions in the World Championship of Legends (WCL), a privately-run T20 tournament. Terming the withdrawal “embarrassing,” Afridi hinted that the decision stemmed from the influence of “one or two individuals” within the Indian squad, although he refrained from naming them.

Earlier, some Indian players had opted out of the group-stage fixture against Pakistan, following a wave of criticism on social media after the tragic Pahalgam terror attack. Their withdrawal was perceived by many as a move to show solidarity with national sentiments. However, when fate brought the two arch-rivals face-to-face in the semi-final, the Indian team once again chose not to take the field.

“You must represent your nation with pride, not become a reason for embarrassment. Just one or two guys are responsible for this situation,” Shahid Afridi told a Pakistani journalist.

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When asked whether ego was behind the Indian side’s refusal to play, Afridi, in typical fashion, responded with a jab: “Ego ke liye shaklein bhi chahiye phir (You need to have the looks for an ego)!”

Shahid Afridi lashed out further at India Champions’ withdrawal from the WCL semi-final against Pakistan as ’embarrassing’ and driven by ‘one or two guys’. #ShahidAfridi #IndiavsPakistanhttps://t.co/8GfP1tIGYV

— News18 CricketNext (@cricketnext) August 1, 2025

Interestingly, Afridi maintained that he had no personal agenda in the controversy. In fact, when reports emerged that Indian players were refusing to play because of his presence, Afridi said he even offered to skip the match himself. “Cricket is above everything,” he stressed.

“I represent Pakistan and always will. History tells us cricket has often helped ease tensions, even during Vajpayee’s time. If you avoid playing or engaging, the divide will only widen,” he added.

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Afridi also voiced concern for the 17,000 fans who had traveled from afar, only to witness the fixture called off. “Cricket should rise above politics. Nations that separate the two are the ones that grow,” he concluded.