ind vs pak https://www.cricketwinner.com ind vs pak Mon, 01 Sep 2025 11:06:09 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html https://github.com/jpmonette/feed en Copyright © 2024 Cricket Winner. All Rights Reserved. <![CDATA[India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 match rescheduled]]> https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/india-vs-pakistan-asia-cup-2025-match-rescheduled/ https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/india-vs-pakistan-asia-cup-2025-match-rescheduled/ Sat, 30 Aug 2025 18:56:32 GMT

The Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 is set to begin on September 9 in Abu Dhabi, where Afghanistan will take on Hong Kong in the opening clash. The tournament will feature 19 matches in total, with Dubai hosting 11 games, including the grand finale on September 29, while Abu Dhabi will stage the remaining eight fixtures.

This edition is historic as it is the first Asia Cup to feature eight teams in the T20I format. Group A includes India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman, whereas Group B comprises Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong, designed as part of preparations leading up to the 2026 T20 World Cup.

The upcoming Men’s T20 Asia Cup will see a slight shift in its match timings to tackle the harsh weather in the UAE. Out of the 19 scheduled fixtures, 18, including the all-important final, will now begin half an hour later than initially planned.

See Also: Who is Auqib Nabi? 5 fascinating facts about J&K pacer who claimed four wickets in four balls in Duleep Trophy 2025

The High Voltage IND-PAK Match’s Time to Reschedule:

The decision comes after weather experts predicted that daytime temperatures could soar into the 40s during September in the region. Organizers felt the adjustment was necessary to ensure better playing conditions and to safeguard both players and spectators from the extreme heat.

As a result, all day-night encounters have been pushed forward. Originally set for 7:30 pm IST (6:00 pm local), the matches will now start at 8:00 pm IST (6:30 pm local) after organizers confirmed a change in the schedule. This rescheduling is expected to make conditions more manageable and allow players to perform at their best during the high-profile eight-team competition.

All of India’s group-stage games, along with any potential knockout fixtures, will follow the revised schedule, starting at 8:00 PM IST. This adjustment not only avoids extreme weather conditions but also ensures a more comfortable viewing experience for fans tuning in from home.

The highly awaited India vs Pakistan encounter in the Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled for Sunday, September 14, at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, promising an electrifying contest for cricket fans worldwide. After several discussions and scheduling changes, the tournament organizers confirmed the new timing, adding extra excitement to the high-voltage encounter between the two cricketing giants.

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<![CDATA[OTD: Hardik Pandya finished India-Pakistan match with 6 in the opener of Asia Cup 2022]]> https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/otd-hardik-pandya-finished-india-pakistan-match-with-6-in-the-opener-of-asia-cup-2022/ https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/otd-hardik-pandya-finished-india-pakistan-match-with-6-in-the-opener-of-asia-cup-2022/ Wed, 27 Aug 2025 19:37:41 GMT

Hardik Pandya finished the things off in style. In the final over of India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2022, the India all-rounder hoisted the delivery of Mohammad Nawaz over the long-on region for a maximum, which sealed the close-fought game for India. 

It was the first game of the T20 Asia Cup 2022 when India faced their archrivalPakistan on a challenging Dubai pitch. Pakistan went to bat first with their openers Mohammad Rizwan and then the skipper Babar Azam. Though Azam went to the pavilion early in the match, Rizwan was the most stubborn batter for the Pakistan cricket team. He remained on the track and scored 43 off 42, the highest score in the match for the Men in Green.

It was not the usual T20 format match where batters performed with a high strike rate; both of the teams batted with extra caution. After Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed was the second-highest scorer for Pakistan with 28 off 22. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar wrapped up his 4-over spell with 4 wickets, while Hardik Pandya got 3 scalps to his name, and Arshdeep Singh got a brace.

Read More: WATCH: Pacer Harshit Rana trying spin bowling ahead of Asia Cup 2026

Hardik Pandya was the hero for India 

India too fell into trouble when they started to chase a target of 148. Rohit Sharma, then the skipper of team India, and KL Rahul both lost their wickets cheaply. Virat Kohli (35) and Ravindra Jadeja (35) started to propel the innings in the right direction, though they were unable to convert their well-crafted start into a big innings. Surya Kumar Yadav scored 18 off 18. 

It was Hardik Pandya, who remained on the track till the end and confirmed India's victory with a huge six. After taking 3 wickets, Pandya played a match-winning knock of 33*, for which he got the man of the match award. 

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<![CDATA[Sahibzada Farhan vs Sanju Samson statistical comparison ahead of IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2025 clash]]> https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-stats/sahibzada-farhan-vs-sanju-samson-statistical-comparison-ahead-of-ind-vs-pak-asia-cup-2025-clash/ https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-stats/sahibzada-farhan-vs-sanju-samson-statistical-comparison-ahead-of-ind-vs-pak-asia-cup-2025-clash/ Tue, 26 Aug 2025 12:59:34 GMT

Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled to commence on September 9, and cricket fans will witness the India vs. Pakistan clash on September 14, five days after the inauguration of the tournament. Both of the nation’s cricket boards have already announced their full squad, on pen and paper, and both teams are looking strong. Though, due to recent performances, India will be the favorite to win the game, but Pakistan will definitely try their best to challenge Team India hard. Both the teams have talented keeper-batters who can open their innings. For India, it is Sanju Samson, and for Pakistan, it is Sahibzada Farhan. Between these two top-order keeper-batters, to determine who is the better, we have to do a statistical breakdown. 

Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson, 30, is already an established name in world cricket. So far he has played 42 T20Is after making his debut on July 19, 2015, in this particular format for India. In 42 matches and 38 innings, the right-handed batter has gathered a total of 861 runs at an average of 25.32. 3 hundreds and a couple of half centuries are the proofs of his batting brilliance. Samson’s highest score, 111, was against Bangladesh at Hyderabad on October 12, 2024. The other two hundreds he scored were against South Africa, which shows his ability to bat even against top-ranked teams. Interestingly, Sanju never played against Pakistan in a T20I match.

Samson's T20I career stats in brief:

MatchesInningsRunsStrike RateHighest ScoreBatting Average
4238861152.3811125.32

Sahibzada Farhan

The top order keeper-batter from Pakistan can be considered a late bloomer. Unlike Sanju Samson, 29-year-old Farhan has so far represented Pakistan in only 15 T20Is. His recent outings against the West Indies and Bangladesh were impressive and earned him a spot on the 2025 Asia Cup Pakistan cricket team. Scoring a couple of fifty-plus innings implies his skills in subcontinent conditions. Sahibzada made his T20 International debut on July 8, 2018, against Australia, where he only got a duck. A couple of months later, when Pakistan again faced Australia in a T20I encounter, that time in Dubai, the right-handed batter scored 39 runs. In his last T20I, which was against Bangladesh in Lauderhill, he got a well-played 74. 

Read More: List of Top 5 batters since 1990 who took most balls to dismiss in Australia ft. Cheteshwar Pujara

Farhan's T20I career stats in brief:

MatchesInningsRunsStrike RateHighest ScoreBatting Average
1515315127.017421.00

Sanju Samson vs Sahibzada Farhan T20I statistical comparison: 

PlayerMatchesInningsRunsStrike RateHighest ScoreBatting Average
Sanju Samson4238861152.3811125.32
Arhan1515315127.017421.00

 

 

 

 

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<![CDATA[“If the government has taken a call…”- Sunil Gavaskar shares forthright opinion on BCCI’s Asia Cup decision]]> https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/if-the-government-has-taken-a-call-sunil-gavaskar-shares-forthright-opinion-on-bcci-s-asia-cup-decision/ https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/if-the-government-has-taken-a-call-sunil-gavaskar-shares-forthright-opinion-on-bcci-s-asia-cup-decision/ Wed, 20 Aug 2025 21:08:17 GMT

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has appealed to the cricketing community to avoid blaming players for participating in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, despite rising tensions with Pakistan. He emphasised that the athletes should not be held responsible for political or security concerns surrounding the tournament.

Gavaskar’s comments come amid calls to boycott the event following a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which tragically claimed the lives of several tourists. The incident sparked widespread discussions on whether players should take part in matches involving Pakistan, given the sensitive security situation.

The discussion gained more traction after two scheduled India vs Pakistan games in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) were called off, further fueling the ongoing debate. Several former players, including Shikhar Dhawan and Harbhajan Singh, refused to play, highlighting the controversy.

See Also: “All of the UK has complained….”- Former Indian cricketer shares fun behind the scenes moments of India vs England series

Sunil Gavaskar urges fans not to fault players’ Asia Cup participation:

Sunil Gavaskar stressed that current players deserve respect for focusing on cricket and representing their nation professionally, without facing undue criticism. So, he emphasized that Indian team players do not make such decisions themselves. 

They strictly follow instructions issued by the BCCI and the Indian government, having no personal role in determining participation in events like the Asia Cup.

Gavaskar said, “ If the government has taken a call, I don't see how the players can be criticised or commented upon, because the players at the end of the day are contracted to the BCCI and they will be taking the instructions from the government of India. And so it entirely depends on that.”

He further said, “ The players are helpless in this. They've been selected to play in the Asia Cup, and if the government says you have to play, then they will go out and play. If the government says you don't, then the BCCI will act accordingly.”

When questioned about whether Indian players should withdraw from matches against Pakistan, Gavaskar clarified that such decisions rest solely with the Indian government, and the team will follow whatever directive is issued. He added, “ Like I said, it is entirely up to the government of India to tell the BCCI what to do.”

India’s Road in Asia Cup 2025:

India will begin their Asia Cup 2025 journey against the UAE on September 10 in Dubai. India’s eagerly awaited showdown with Pakistan will be played on September 14 in Dubai, followed by their final group stage fixture against Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi.

After the group stage, the Asia Cup 2025 will move into the Super 4 phase, where the leading two teams from each group qualify. Should India secure the top spot in Group A, all their Super 4 fixtures are scheduled to be played in Dubai, giving them consistent conditions throughout this crucial stage of the tournament.

If India ends up second in Group A, they will play one Super 4 match in Abu Dhabi, while the remaining two fixtures will still be hosted in Dubai. The Super 4 stage runs from September 20 to 26, with the final scheduled in Dubai on September 28.

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<![CDATA[Virat Kohli’s 17 Years of Excellence: Revisiting His Iconic 82* vs Pakistan at the MCG]]> https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/virat-kohli-s-17-years-of-excellence-revisiting-his-iconic-82-vs-pakistan-at-the-mcg/ https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/virat-kohli-s-17-years-of-excellence-revisiting-his-iconic-82-vs-pakistan-at-the-mcg/ Mon, 18 Aug 2025 14:48:14 GMT

India’s veteran batter Virat Kohli has completed 17 years in international cricket. The 36-year-old made his debut for India on this day (August 18) in 2008, against Sri Lanka in an ODI match.

Kohli has not looked back since then, setting many records across all formats. After 17 amazing years, he now plays only in the 50-over format. From a humble start to becoming one of the greatest batters in cricket history, Kohli’s career has been full of brilliant moments, heartbreaks, triumphs, and growth. With nearly 28,000 runs and a legacy beyond numbers, his story is one of constant hard work and excellence.

To honour his decorated career, we look back at his majestic half-century in a crucial 2022 T20 World Cup match against Pakistan. In that match, the legendary batter made a brilliant comeback and added another memorable chapter to this famous rivalry.

Also Read -“He always resorts to personal attacks” - Danish Kaneria seconds Irfan Pathan’s remarks on Shahid Afridi

Revisiting The India vs Pakistan, 23rd October 2022 Matchday

The morning of the India vs Pakistan match was tense for players and fans. On 23rd October 2022, news channels and social media were full of updates. At the toss, Rohit Sharma chose to field first at the MCG. After the national anthems, the Indian bowlers started strongly. Arshdeep Singh dismissed Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in the first four overs.

Pakistan’s Iftikhar Ahmed and Shan Masood formed a strong partnership, and Shaheen Shah Afridi’s late hits helped Pakistan reach 159 runs for 8 wickets. Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya took 3 wickets each to keep the total under control.

Scorecard Highlights – 1st Innings

Batsmen:

  1. Shan Masood – 52 runs (42 balls, SR 123.8)
  2. Iftikhar Ahmed – 51 runs (34 balls, SR 150.0)
  3. Shaheen Shah Afridi – 16 runs (8 balls, SR 200.0)

Bowlers:

  • Hardik Pandya – 4 overs, 30 runs, 3 wickets
  • Arshdeep Singh – 4 overs, 32 runs, 3 wickets

India’s Rocky Start

India’s batting looked strong but faced a tough challenge. Early wickets by Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf left India at 31-4 in 6 overs, with Hardik Pandya and Virat Kohli at the crease. Fans grew quiet as the win predictor showed only a 15% chance. Commentators backed Kohli, saying, “Don’t write India off; Virat Kohli is still there.”

Kohli’s Masterclass

Kohli and Pandya rebuilt the innings. In the 18th over, Kohli hit 3 boundaries and scored 17 runs off Shaheen Shah Afridi. In the 19th over, with 31 needed from 12 balls, Kohli hit a straight six over Haris Rauf’s head, called “The Greatest Shot Ever,” and followed with another boundary to bring India back.

Final Over Drama

In the last over, India needed 16 runs. Mohammad Nawaz dismissed Hardik Pandya on the first ball. A no-ball and a wide gave India extra runs. Dinesh Karthik was stumped on the 5th ball, leaving India 2 runs from 1 ball. R Ashwin cleverly ran for a wide and scored the winning single on the last ball, giving India a thrilling win.

Scorecard Highlights – 2nd Innings

Batsmen:

  • Virat Kohli – 82* (53 balls, SR 154.7)
  • Hardik Pandya – 40 (37 balls, SR 108.1)
  • Suryakumar Yadav – 15 (10 balls, SR 150.0)

Bowlers:

  1. Haris Rauf – 4 overs, 36 runs, 2 wickets
  2. Mohammad Nawaz – 4 overs, 42 runs, 2 wickets

Virat Kohli gave the nation a memorable win against Pakistan the day before Diwali. His 82* became an iconic innings played under immense pressure. Despite criticism and a rough patch in his captaincy, Kohli once again led India to victory and proved to be the team’s savior.

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<![CDATA['Humare jawaan ghar wapas...' - Harbhajan Singh slams BCCI over India vs Pakistan Asia Cup clash 2025]]> https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/humare-jawaan-ghar-wapas-harbhajan-singh-slams-bcci-over-india-vs-pakistan-asia-cup-clash-2025/ https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/humare-jawaan-ghar-wapas-harbhajan-singh-slams-bcci-over-india-vs-pakistan-asia-cup-clash-2025/ Wed, 13 Aug 2025 13:17:34 GMT

Former India off-spinner and Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh has strongly criticised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for agreeing to face Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, despite heightened tensions between the two nations.

Harbhajan Singh opposes India-Pakistan Asia Cup clash, cites soldiers’ sacrifices

India and Pakistan are scheduled to meet in the group stage on September 14 in Dubai, with a possibility of two more encounters in the Super 4s and the final, if both teams progress. The announcement of the schedule came as a surprise to many, as speculation was rife that India might pull out of the tournament or at least refuse to play against their arch-rivals following the recent Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.

Harbhajan minced no words in expressing his disapproval. Speaking to The Times of India, he said: “They need to understand what is important and what is not. For me, the soldier who stands on the border, whose family often doesn’t get to see him, who sometimes sacrifices his life and never returns home, their sacrifice is so immense for all of us. Compared to that, skipping one cricket match is a very small matter.”

ALSO SEE: India's probable squad for Asia Cup 2025 revealed with Shubman Gill likely to get leadership role

Reiterating the government’s stance that “Khoon aur paani ek saath nahi beh sakte” (blood and water cannot flow together), the Turbanator insisted that cricket should take a back seat until political and security issues between the two nations are resolved. “Whatever our identity is, it’s because of this country. Whether you are a player, an actor, or anyone else, no one is bigger than the nation. The country comes first, and the duties we owe to it must be fulfilled. Not playing a cricket match is nothing compared to the importance of the nation,” he said.

Harbhajan Singh urges India to skip Pakistan clash in Asia Cup amid rising tensions

Harbhajan’s comments come weeks after he and several other former India players, including Yuvraj Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, and Irfan Pathan, refused to play against Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends (WCL). The India Champions team even forfeited their semi-final match against Pakistan, allowing the latter a walkover into the final.

The former spinner also urged Indian players not to shake hands with Pakistani cricketers and asked the media to stop giving space to their statements. “Are they that important that every news channel has to give weightage to them? When you have boycotted them, when you don’t want to talk to them, then why show them here? The media shouldn’t add fuel to the fire,” he added.

The Asia Cup 2025 will be an eight-team tournament in the UAE, but Harbhajan is clear in his stance that no matter the stage or stakes, India should not play Pakistan while tensions remain high.

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<![CDATA[Will India be playing Pakistan in WCL 2025 Semi final?]]> https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/will-india-be-playing-pakistan-in-wcl-2025-semi-final/ https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/will-india-be-playing-pakistan-in-wcl-2025-semi-final/ Wed, 30 Jul 2025 10:29:47 GMT

India Champions looked down and out and almost neared elimination from the WCL 2025 before they took on the West Indies Champions on Monday. Tasked with chasing down 145 within 15 overs to book their semi-final spot, Stuart Binny's blistering cameo of 50 (21) helped India gun down the target in only 13.5 overs. 

The late resurgence in form has allowed India to miraculously sneak into the semi-final phase. But India's progression to the semi-final round has certainly caused a few headaches for the organizers. Trouble has started to mount as they will be facing their arch-rivals, Pakistan, again in the first semi-final match on July 31.

Previously, the two sides met in a group stage match, which was called off as a certain group of Indian players refused to participate, citing political differences. A no-result was declared for this game, and both teams shared the points under controversial circumstances. The recent Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent military campaign that followed have strained the relationship between the two countries.

Besides, the general public appears to be in no mood to see their national team play against a country that has a notorious reputation for sponsoring terrorism. After the cancellation of the league stage game, the India Champions are facing immense pressure from the fans to boycott the upcoming semi-final match against Pakistan tomorrow. So here comes the billion-dollar question - Will India be playing Pakistan in the WCL 2025 semi-final? And what are the consequences of it if India pulls out of it? Read on as we delve deeper into how this controversy can pan out. 

See also: Former Indian Test skipper urges India to reconsider playing against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025

Here is what we know so far

Earlier in the tournament, India Champions superstars featuring Harbhajan Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, and the Pathan brothers refused to participate against Pakistan Champions in a bid to stand in solidarity with those who were affected in Pahalgam. Besides, what triggered this unprecedented reaction from the Indian stars was the presence of former Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi. 

In the wake of Operation Sindoor, Afridi issued a lot of inflammatory remarks that undermined the credibility of the Indian government and its armed forces. Understandably, these remarks did not sit too well with the Indian players, and as a result, they staged a boycott when it was learnt that Afridi would take part in that game.

Besides, another shocking development has come to the fore. EaseMyTrip, which happens to be one of the sponsors for this event, has pulled out and will not be associated with the semi-final clash in any manner. Nishant Pitti, co-founder of the travel platform, recently issued a statement stating that terror and cricket can't co-exist and national pride must take precedence over hefty profits. 

“The upcoming semi-final against Pakistan is not just another game. Terror and cricket cannot go hand in hand. @EaseMyTrip, we stand with India. We cannot support any event that attempts to normalise relations with a country that promotes terrorism. The people of India have spoken and we hear them."

Amidst this storm, the organizers at WCL are yet to issue a formal statement on this highly anticipated fixture. Confirmation on whether or not the fixture will go ahead is awaited in due course. But with only 24 hours to go, the organizers are running out of time. At present, the match remains in limbo. But India Champions opener Shikhar Dhawan had already made it clear earlier that India would refrain from playing Pakistan even if the two teams meet in the semis.

As a feasible alternative, the WCL organizers can swap the semi-final fixtures which can effectively eliminate the possibility of a future Ind-Pak clash. At the moment, four teams mainly India, Pakistan, Australia, and South Africa have qualified. Teams ranked first and fourth will play off the first semi-final clash (Team1 vs Team4). The second semi-final fixture will comprise a clash between the second and the third ranked team. (Team2 vs Team3)

To put it into perspective, Pakistan, being at the top will play against India who are ranked fourth. Similarly, South Africa who are ranked second, will play Australia who are ranked third. To solve this problem, the WCL organizers can move the fixtures around as follows: Team1 vs Team2 and Team3 vs Team4. It is a call which will have to be taken by the organizers and the teams could face inconvenience should the changes come into effect at such short notice. 

What do we think at CricketWinner?

Public outrage in India is at its peak following the tragic Pahalgam terror attacks, which took the lives of 26 innocent civilians. The tragic news has left deep scars that the country is yet to fully recover from. It is believed that the people who were responsible for carrying out the heinous attack belonged to Pakistan. As the nation continues to mourn the loss of the deceased souls, the general public can't visualize their national side play against a nation that openly advocates terrorist activities. 

Hence, we, at CricketWinner, strongly feel that India Champions should boycott their upcoming semi-final match against Pakistan on Thursday. It's clearly not a matter of points which is at stake. Dignity and patriotism for the nation come first and precede all other worldly values. The entire nation lauded India Champions when they refused to face Pakistan Champions earlier in the league stage. Judging by the way the events are unfolding, another Ind-Pak WCL boycott very much appears to be on the cards. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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<![CDATA[Former Indian Test skipper urges India to reconsider playing against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025]]> https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/former-indian-test-skipper-urges-india-to-reconsider-playing-against-pakistan-in-asia-cup-2025/ https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/former-indian-test-skipper-urges-india-to-reconsider-playing-against-pakistan-in-asia-cup-2025/ Wed, 30 Jul 2025 10:21:55 GMT

The decision to include both India and Pakistan in the same group for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 tournament hasn’t gone down too well with the fans. In light of the recent Pahalgam attacks and the military escalation that soon followed thereafter, tension between the two neighbours has been at an all-time high. Mistrust, resentment, and bitterness towards one another have been rampant.

While many Indian fans are not in favor of seeing this marquee clash unfold, former Indian Test captain Mohammed Azharuddin did not hold himself back either. Azharuddin does not seem to be in favor of this clash and questions the timing and context of it, given what had transpired earlier this year.

See also: 'Terror and Cricket...'- EaseMyTrip takes huge decision on India Champions vs Pakistan Champions semifinal in WCL 2025

Azharuddin calls for a consistent approach while maintaining sporting relations

While interacting with IANS, Azharuddin made references to the cross-border tensions that have prevailed between the two neighbours for quite a while now, and strongly feels that the timing of this clash is just not right.

“Looking at the current situation in the country, we shouldn’t be playing this match. Everyone is aware of the issues we are facing. And if we have to play, then we should play every sport—not just by picking and choosing.”

Besides, he also added that a more uniform approach must be put in place. Should India choose to boycott Pakistan in one sport, then the same principle must apply across all sports and should spread to all genders and age groups. Previously, the high-octane WCL clash between India and Pakistan Champions was called off due to unresolved political differences. However, a similar boycott has not been seen in India’s Asia Cup clash with Pakistan.

While stating his personal views, Azharuddin later clarified that the final decision rests with the government and the BCCI.

“In the end, it’s the government that will decide whether we should play or not. The decision made by the board, the government, and BCCI will be final. Until the problem is resolved, we shouldn’t move forward.”

Neither India nor Pakistan have engaged in bilateral cricket since 2012. India’s last visit to the neighboring nation was in the year 2008. Besides, the latest military clash in May has further strained the already-sour relations between the two nuclear-armed nations. Tensions have been at their peak, and the long-standing political differences aren’t going to vanish away any time soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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<![CDATA['Even the Indian team is disappointed...' -Shahid Afridi on India pulling out of WLC 2025 IND vs PAK clash]]> https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/even-the-indian-team-is-disappointed-shahid-afridi-on-india-pulling-out-of-wlc-2025-ind-vs-pak-clash/ https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/even-the-indian-team-is-disappointed-shahid-afridi-on-india-pulling-out-of-wlc-2025-ind-vs-pak-clash/ Mon, 21 Jul 2025 13:51:44 GMT

Shahid Afridi launched an attack on an individual without revealing the name. The India Legends vs Pakistan Legends match was called off after Harbhajan Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, and multiple other cricketers of the India Legends team decided to boycott the game. The decision to boycott the match did not make Shahid Afridi happy. In his natural way of talking, the former Pakistan international said that even the 'Indian team is very disappointed.' Without mentioning any individual's name, Afridi decided to use the 'one rotten egg' phrase in a symbolic way. 

"Sports brings countries closer. If politics comes between everything, then how will you move forward? Without communication, things cannot be solved. The idea for these kinds of events is also to meet one on one. But you know, there is always one rotten egg, which spoils everything," Afridi told the media on Sunday, July 20.

"They trained the day before the match. I think that they pulled out just because of one guy. Even the Indian team is very disappointed. They were here to play. I am telling you, you should be a good ambassador for the country, not an embarrassment." 

Read More: WATCH: Mitchell Owens six hitting in his debut international match against West Indies

According to media reports, the organizers of the World Championship of Legends on social media announced the cancellation of the highly anticipated clash after Dhawan reiterated his stance of not playing against Pakistan. 

The decision not came from BCCI 

"The event organizers of WCL have confirmed that tomorrow's match between India and Pakistan (Sunday, 20th July, at 16.30) has been cancelled. Please do not attend, as the stadium will be closed. All ticket holders will receive a full refund; please see below for further details," the official X account of Edgbaston Stadium announced.

The relation between these two archrivals got more heated after the Pahalgam terror attack incident. The Indian cricket board (BCCI) made their stand clear by declaring no bilateral series with Pakistan. But the World Championship of Legends is not controlled by the Board of Control for Cricket in India; the decision from the players is considered as their own standpoint. 

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<![CDATA[Harbhajan Singh's stunning decision left IND vs PAK WCL 2025 match in unrest]]> https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/harbhajan-singh-s-stunning-decision-left-ind-vs-pak-wcl-2025-match-in-unrest/ https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/harbhajan-singh-s-stunning-decision-left-ind-vs-pak-wcl-2025-match-in-unrest/ Sun, 20 Jul 2025 00:10:20 GMT

After the Pahalgaon incident, relations between India and Pakistan are still not normal. It is also unknown when the two countries will face each other again on the cricket field. Among them, a controversy started regarding the India vs. Pakistan match in the 'World Championship of Legends' competition. Fans questioned why Indians were playing against Pakistan. It is reported that Harbhajan Singh, Irfan, and Yusuf Pathan withdrew their names from that match under pressure.

The 'World Championship of Legends' is being held in Edgbaston, England, with former cricketers from different countries. The competition started on July 18. The captain of the Indian team is Yuvraj Singh. Former players like Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu will play. Although it has not been officially announced yet, various media reports have said that Harbhajan and the Pathan brothers will not play in the Pakistan match. It is worth noting that India and Pakistan are facing each other at Edgbaston on Sunday.

Former India cricketers Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Yusuf Pathan withdrew their names from the World Cricketers Tournament from different countries. The competition started on July 18. The captain of the Indian team is Yuvraj Singh. Former players like Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu are scheduled to play in this match. Though their participation in this match is not confirmed in this match.

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Pathan brothers may not going to participate in the upcoming match against Pakistan again

 Although it has not been officially announced yet, various media reports have said that Harbhajan and the Pathan brothers will not play in the Pakistan match. It is worth noting that India and Pakistan are facing each other at Edgbaston on Sunday.

After the Pahalgaon incident, former cricketers spoke out in support of their respective countries. In response, Shikhar Dhawan wrote, "We lost to you in Kargil too. You have sunk this low; how much lower will you go? Instead of making negative comments, do something that will benefit your country. We are proud of the Indian soldiers.

Squads:

India Champions squad: Yuvraj Singh (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Irfan Pathan, Saurabh Tiwary, Yusuf Pathan, RP Singh, Robin Uthappa, Naman Ojha, Gurkreet Mann, Harbhajan Singh, Vinay Kumar, Rahul Shukla, Rahul Sharma, Dhawal Kulkarni, Anureet Singh, and Pawan Negi.

Pakistan Champions Squad: Mohammad Hafeez (C), Shahid Afridi, Misbah Ul Haq, Kamran Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Abdul Razzaq, Sohaib Maqsood, Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Tanveer, Sohail Khan, Aamer Yamin, Saeed Ajmal, and Asif Ali.

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