BIRMINGHAM (Kashmir English): The much anticipated match between Pakistan and India legends on Sunday, under the World Championship of Legends ( WCL 2025) has been cancelled.
The Indian players refuse to play the game on the inclusion of Pakistani legend Shahid Afridi in the Squad. Cricket fans and social media users have reacted strongly to this decision of the Indian team.
In this regard, sources say that 5 Indian players refused to play the match due to fear of Shahid Afridi. The Indian players who refused to play include Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh.
However, the organisers have assured the cricket fans that the remaining matches of the championship will be held as the schedule.
Cricket analyst terms Indian behaviour ‘unprofessional’ and express disappointment over the decision.
Earlier, The Pakistan Champions kicked off their World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 campaign with a thrilling five-run win over England Champions at Edgbaston Stadium.
Batting first, the Pakistan Champions posted a competitive total of 160 for 9 in their 20 overs. Former skipper Mohammad Hafeez led the charge with a fluent 54 off 34 balls, hitting timely boundaries to keep the scoreboard moving. All-rounder Aamer Yamin played a vital role in the closing overs, scoring a quick 27* off just 13 balls to boost the total.
England Champions started strong in pursuit of the target as they scored 32-0 in the first five overs. However, Pakistan Champions fought back with key wicket of experienced Alastair Cook.
Following the wicket, Phil Mustard forged a brief stand with James Vince, bringing the score to 55 until the ninth over.
Aamer Yamin provided Pakistan Champions with a much-needed breakthrough, clearing up James Vince (7), reducing the home side to 55-2.
With two wickets down in the first half of the innings, the experience of Ian Bell and Phil Mustard helped lift England Champions out of trouble as the duo scored quickly, bringing the score to 94-2 in the 14th over.
Phil Mustard reached his half century in the process while Bell kept rotating the strike, ensuring that the required runs did not go up.
The stand was eventually broken in the 16th over with Sohail Tanvir removing trapped Mustard in front for a well-made 58 with England Champions requiring 52 runs from 24 balls.
However, Ian Bell stood in Pakistan Champions’ way, pairing up with Eoin Morgan to bring down the equation to 30 required from two overs.
With 16 required in the final over, Sohail Khan bowled brilliantly and gave up only 10 runs despite two set and experienced batters at the crease.
