LONDON – In a continuing trend of politicizing sports, India has once again refused to play against Pakistan in the semi-final of the World Championship of Legends. This marks a repeat of India’s earlier boycott of the group-stage match against Pakistan in the ongoing tournament.
The World Championship of Legends, taking place in Birmingham, England, has seen intense competition. However, political tensions between India and Pakistan have cast a shadow over the event.
Earlier in the competition, during an Asian Council meeting chaired by Mohsin Naqvi, both teams had agreed to participate in their scheduled matches.
But since then, the situation has worsened, with Indian media, politicians, and former cricketers strongly criticizing the Indian cricket board’s handling of the matter.
India’s refusal to play in the semi-final has led to Pakistan advancing automatically to the final of the World Championship of Legends.
According to reports, five key Indian players, including captain Yuvraj Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Yusuf Pathan, have collectively refused to take part in the match against Pakistan.
This decision follows the earlier boycott of the group-stage match, where India’s refusal to compete against Pakistan granted Pakistan a walkover. Furthermore, some Indian players had previously insisted that Shahid Afridi should not be included in Pakistan’s playing XI, further complicating the tournament’s atmosphere.
The World Championship of Legends has now become a battleground not only for cricketers but also for political sentiments.
Despite efforts to keep sports apolitical, tensions continue to overshadow the competition, reflecting broader diplomatic rifts. With Pakistan advancing to the final by default, all eyes will be on the resolution of this political issue as the tournament moves forward.
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