The WCL features teams from India, Pakistan, England, West Indies, South Africa, and Australia.
Former India cricketers, including Shikhar Dhawan, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, and Irfan Pathan, are drawing backlash on social media for participating in the World Championship of Legends tournament alongside Pakistani players.
The arch-rivals are due to square off in Birmingham on Sunday (July 20). The controversy arises from their decision to play against Pakistan Champions months after the Pahalgam attack, which had resulted in heightened tensions between the two nations.
The World Championship of Legends, currently in its second edition, features teams from India, Pakistan, England, West Indies, South Africa, and Australia. The competition has caught attention due to the participation of both Indian and Pakistani former players.
Following the Pahalgam attack, former Pakistani skipper Shahid Afridi had posted controversial statements about India on social media and also conducted victory parades while criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan had given befitting responses to Afridi’s remarks on X (formerly Twitter).
The Indian team roster includes prominent names such as Ambati Rayudu, Yusuf Pathan, Robin Uthappa, and Harbhajan Singh, while the Pakistani squad features Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik alongside Afridi.
Meanwhile, netizens have highlighted the Indian players’ hypocrisy between public stance and participation in the private league along with their Pakistani counterparts.
Here are the reactions: