Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has reignited controversy ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, sharply criticising some former Indian cricketers and suggesting they are “still trying to prove they are Indian.” His remarks revisit the contentious cancellation of the India-Pakistan Legends match in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) earlier this year and have stirred emotions ahead of the high-voltage India-Pakistan clash.
Afridi has repeatedly expressed disappointment at how the Legends match was scrapped, blaming what he called “one rotten egg” from the Indian contingent for pulling out at the last moment and derailing the fixture. He claimed that players had already practised, tickets were sold, and fans were eagerly awaiting the clash, only for it to collapse due to political sensitivities and personal decisions. His latest comments, made on a Pakistani talk show, went further, accusing some Indian players of publicly overcompensating to display their patriotism. According to Afridi, these players have been “showing they are Indian since birth” and are now using commentary gigs during the Asia Cup to amplify that narrative.
His choice of words has divided opinion. Supporters of Afridi argue that cricket should be kept separate from politics, and that refusing to play sends a message that undermines the sport’s ability to unite fans across borders. They see Afridi’s frustration as justified, noting that cricket has historically been a bridge between India and Pakistan, even in times of diplomatic tension. For them, avoiding cricket contests deprives fans of one of the few shared cultural touchpoints between the two countries.
On the other side, former Indian players and sections of the Indian media have criticised Afridi’s remarks as unnecessary provocation. They argue that security concerns, national sentiment, and political context cannot be brushed aside in the name of sportsmanship. Many point out that players have a right to withdraw from events if they feel unsafe or believe participation would send the wrong message to the public. Afridi’s comments, they say, risk inflaming passions ahead of an already emotionally charged Asia Cup fixture.
The timing of Afridi’s remarks is critical, as the India-Pakistan match is always one of the most watched sporting events in the world. By reviving the narrative around the Legends match and accusing Indian cricketers of political posturing, Afridi has ensured that the upcoming game will be played under an even brighter spotlight.
This episode underscores a recurring question in India-Pakistan cricket: can bilateral or exhibition matches ever be played in isolation from politics? Afridi’s statements suggest that even legends of the game are unwilling to separate sport from national identity when tensions are high. As the Asia Cup fixture nears, the focus will inevitably be split between the cricketing skills on display and the off-field drama that has once again taken centre stage.
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