India Legends Face Pakistan Amid Social Media Outrage Over World Championship of Legends Clash
As cricket fans gear up for the high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends on Sunday, July 20, in Birmingham, a storm is already brewing off the field. Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan, along with several other retired cricketing stars, is facing heavy criticism on social media for taking part in the match barely two months after the tragic Pahalgam attack that escalated tensions between the two nations.
While the tournament, now in its second edition, aims to rekindle cricketing rivalries from a bygone era, it has instead drawn sharp rebukes for featuring India-Pakistan games in such a sensitive period. Despite earlier heated exchanges between ex-players—including a public spat between Dhawan and former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi—both men are now set to share the same field once again.
In April, Dhawan had lashed out at Afridi on X (formerly Twitter), responding to anti-India remarks with a pointed jibe referencing the Kargil War. However, his decision to now participate in the same event as Afridi has led to accusations of hypocrisy and performative patriotism.
Joining Dhawan in the Indian squad are cricketing icons like Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, and Yusuf Pathan, while Pakistan’s side features Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez, and Shoaib Malik. Fans and critics alike have questioned the intent and timing of the tournament, with some accusing players of putting financial interests above national sentiment.
What was expected to be a celebratory reunion of cricket legends has now become a topic of fierce public debate, highlighting the ongoing complexities of sports, politics, and public perception.
