With the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 just hours away, the atmosphere is charged both on and off the field. As fans prepare for one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has ignited controversy with a series of remarks directed at former Indian cricketers. These comments have stirred emotions at a time when political sensitivities are heightened.
The upcoming match at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday marks the first meeting between the two nations following the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s Operation Sindoor. This adds an extra layer of intensity to an already high-stakes encounter. Calls for a boycott of the match have increased across India, with some fans expressing frustration about the game proceeding amid the current emotionally charged atmosphere.
In the lead-up to the game, Afridi made headlines by indirectly criticizing Shikhar Dhawan and Yuvraj Singh, referencing the cancellation of the India vs Pakistan match in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 earlier this year. That match was called off after Indian players, including Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Suresh Raina, withdrew due to public pressure and online outrage.
Dhawan had clarified that he informed the WCL organizers well in advance about his decision not to participate against Pakistan. However, Afridi appeared unconvinced and shared his frustration during a recent interview on Samaa TV.
Afridi stated, “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 naming names, Afridi hinted at internal disagreements within the Indian camp during the WCL event. He added, “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 comments became more personal as he alleged that certain Indian players continue to face threats and feel the need to prove their loyalty to the country. He said, “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.”
While Afridi did not directly name anyone, his remarks are widely interpreted as veiled references to individuals like Yuvraj Singh and Irfan Pathan, who have been involved in commentary roles and social discussions related to India-Pakistan cricket.
Afridi’s comments arrive at a delicate time. Amid simmering tensions following recent cross-border incidents, cricket fans in India are divided over the appropriateness of matches with Pakistan. While Afridi continues to champion cricket as a tool for diplomacy, many in India believe that sports cannot be separated from the emotions tied to national security and grief.
This is not the first time Afridi has generated controversy with his views on India. Following the Pahalgam terror attack, he questioned the Indian armed forces on social media, which led to a sharp response from Shikhar Dhawan and others on X (formerly Twitter).
As the cricketing world prepares for Sunday’s highly anticipated clash, it is clear that the rivalry extends far beyond the cricket field, incorporating history, politics, and personal feelings. In the midst of all this, fans on both sides hope that the focus will return to the game itself.
