The India vs Pakistan match in the World Championship of Legends was suddenly called off — and while that was shocking on its own, it turned into a much bigger story when Shahid Afridi reacted strongly to a question about Indian players.
Let’s break down what happened and why this moment is trending.
What Triggered the Controversy?
The Question That Set It Off
During a casual interaction with media and content creators, one creator asked Afridi:
“Indian players are walking around with an ego. Do you think that’s why they didn’t play?”
Afridi, clearly irritated, fired back:
“For that, you need to have the face to say something like that!”
That quick, blunt reply went viral almost instantly. Many saw it as Afridi defending himself and Pakistan’s team, while others felt he crossed a line with that personal jab.
The Indian Team Practiced Just a Day Before
Another clip from the same day added more fuel to the conversation.
Afridi pointed out that just one day before the cancelled match, the Indian players had completed their practice session as usual, which raised even more questions about the sudden decision not to play:
“Just one day before, they had a full practice session — everything looked normal. And now they’ve refused to play the match. If the issue is me, I won’t even go to the ground.”
He added a powerful statement to show where his priorities lie:
“If my presence on the ground is the reason the match isn’t happening, then I will not go. Cricket is more important than anything else.”
This comment won Afridi some praise for putting the game before his ego, even while hurt by the situation.
Why Was the Match Cancelled?
A Tragedy in the Background
Back in April 2025, a terror attack in Pahalgam claimed the lives of 26 Indian civilians. Since then, public sentiment in India has been extremely cautious, especially toward any event involving Pakistan.
Was It Really About Afridi?
Many online fans speculated whether the Indian players refused to play specifically because of Shahid Afridi.
After all, Afridi has made political statements in the past — especially about Kashmir — that stirred strong reactions in India. However, no Indian player officially named him as the reason for the boycott.
Still, Afridi appeared to sense that the attention was turning toward him, and his emotional response showed that he believed he might be part of the issue.
Social Media Reactions: A Mixed Bag
The internet exploded with opinions, and they weren’t all on one side.
Some users supported Afridi, saying it was unfair to be friendly one day and then skip the match the next. Others criticised his sharp tone and believed he should’ve taken the high road.
What This Says About Cricket Right Now
What was supposed to be a fun, nostalgia-filled match turned into a reminder of how complicated cricket between India and Pakistan is.
It wasn’t a World Cup final. It was a veteran’s game. But even here, political tensions, emotional moments, and public sentiment came crashing in.
Afridi’s point was about consistency: if players are fine being friendly off the field, why step back on match day?
Indian players’ stance, meanwhile, was about standing with the nation during a sensitive time.
Final Thoughts
Shahid Afridi is known for being outspoken — and in this case, his reaction has only added more heat to an already tense situation.
Whether you see him as defending his pride or stirring more drama, there’s no doubt that this moment has once again shown how cricket is never “just a game“ between India and Pakistan.
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