Legends Cricket in trouble on eve of India versus Pakistan match
India versus Pakistan in the sports arena, there has to be smoke and fire on the eve of a cricket contest between two warring nations which features the retired players in Edgbaston, England. Dubbed the WCL (World Championship of Legends), the Sunday contest does not have any official sanction from the Indian cricket board (BCCI). Yet, how can such a match take place.
It is well-known, given the current political climate post Operation Sindoor, relations are frosty. Cricket is one sport where the mere mention of any match between the two nations creates a buzz. This time, the buzz has turned into a storm as social media erupted on Saturday. Questions have been asked why the ‘Indian’ team, comprising former legends like Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, Shikhar Dhawan and controversial Yusuf Pathan said ‘yes’ to this masala match. Frankly speaking, it is not about individuals, but why an ‘Indian’ team would want to feature in any cricket contest with the neighbours. By Saturday night, it became clear, the controversy has snowballed.
Harbhajan, a sitting Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament has pulled out. More are expected to follow. Frankly speaking, slamming these Indian legends is in order since most of then have said in the past there should be no cricket contest between India and Pakistan.
For those who may have forgotten, there was a furore before the Champions Trophy in January as India had refused to travel to Pakistan. The event was then shifted by the ICC to Dubai, a neutral venue. Pakistan’s cup of woes overflowed as India won the final. More salt was rubbed into their wounds as the fans in Dubai were in majority, pro India.
After that, when India and Pakistan engaged in massive strikes and air bases in Pakistan were blown, jingoism soared. Many cricketers used their social media handles to post against the shenanigans of Pakistan. It is clear, an India versus Pakistan contest should not take place at all. There has been ambiguity, since India is back-pedalling and may allow Pakistan to visit India for FIH sanctioned hockey events later this year.
In cricket, the feverish pitch rises to a crescendo. So, on the eve of the India versus Pakistan match in the WCL, all hell broke loose. It is clear, nobody wants the Indian players, even the former stars, to compete against the tricky Pakistanis. Some of the players from across the border include Shahid Afridi, who has baited India in the past, Shoaib Malik and Mohammed Hafeez.
Indeed, there are more teams involved in this event, which includes the West Indies. How the India versus Pakistan contest was even agreed to, is bizarre. On the eve of the match, there is chaos. Obviously, any Indian player who says yes to appear on the field will face flak. The larger question here is, who gave permission to the Indians to compete.
It is a serious breach and has to be answered. It is well known, after innocent tourist were killed in Pahalgam, the needle of suspicion points to terrorists from Pakistan. After that, Operation Sindoor saw India smoke Pakistan’s air bases in a tactical war. The wounds are still raw. This ain’t the time for cricket between two nations who hate each other.
