As the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025 approaches, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has injected further controversy with his comments regarding former Indian cricketers. This latest development comes amid heightened tensions, both on and off the field, as the two arch-rivals prepare to face each other.
The upcoming match at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday will be the first clash between the two nations since the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s Operation Sindoor. This has increased the intensity of the match, leading to calls for a boycott from some Indian fans who feel the game should not proceed given the current atmosphere.
Afridi’s comments, made in the lead-up to the game, targeted Shikhar Dhawan and Yuvraj Singh. He referenced the cancellation of the India vs Pakistan match in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 earlier this year, where Indian players, including Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Suresh Raina, pulled out due to public pressure and online criticism.
Dhawan had previously stated that he notified the WCL organizers of his decision not to play against Pakistan well in advance. Afridi, however, seemed skeptical and expressed his views during a recent interview on Samaa TV.
Afridi commented, “I have always said that cricket should go on; it has always helped in making the relations better between the two countries. In England, people had bought tickets to see the WCL match, and the players had practiced. Then you didn’t play. What was the thinking? I just can’t understand.”
Without explicitly naming anyone, Afridi alluded to internal discord within the Indian camp surrounding the WCL event. He said, “Agar mai naam lunga na iss waqt, toh wo beechare phass jayenge (If I name any player, then their lives would be made hard). The player I referred to as a bad egg, his captain also told him, ‘If you don’t want to play, then don’t play. Just don’t tweet on social media.’ But that said, the player had come with an ulterior motive. That is why he was a bad egg.”
Afridi’s remarks then became more personal, as he suggested that some Indian players still face threats and feel the need to prove their allegiance to India. He stated, “There are plenty of issues. Gharon tak paunch jaate hain, ghar jalaane ki dhamkiyaan dete hain un players ko. Kuch aise hain jo vahan saabit kar rahe hain ki hum Hindustaani hain. Bechaare jabse paida huye hain saabit kar rahe hain hum hindustani hain. (Some people reach the houses of players and threaten to burn them down, so what more should I say? Certain players are still trying to prove they are Indian. They have been displaying this ever since being born). Now they are doing commentary in the Asia Cup.”
Although he did not mention specific names, his statements were interpreted as indirect references to Yuvraj Singh and Irfan Pathan, both of whom have been active in commentary and discussions related to India-Pakistan cricket.
Afridi’s comments have come at a sensitive time, with continuing tensions following recent cross-border incidents. Many Indian cricket fans are divided on whether matches with Pakistan should occur, while Afridi continues to advocate for cricket as a diplomatic tool. Conversely, many Indians believe that sports cannot be isolated from national security concerns.
This is not the first instance where Afridi has ignited controversy with his statements on India. Following the Pahalgam terror attack, he questioned the Indian armed forces on social media, which drew strong criticism from Shikhar Dhawan and others on X (formerly Twitter).
As the cricketing world gears up for Sunday’s marquee clash, it is clear that the rivalry extends beyond the game itself. It is intertwined with history, politics, and personal sentiments. Amidst all of this, fans on both sides are hoping the focus will shift back to the cricket field.