The much-anticipated clash between India Champions and Pakistan Champions in the ongoing World Championship of Legends 2025 (WCL 2025) was called off in Birmingham, which sparked fresh and fierce controversy off the field.
As the WCL 2025 match was cancelled after Indian players pulled out of the match following the outrage among the fans, former Pakistan pacer Abdur Rauf Khan accused players from both sides of playing double games when it comes to the public image.
Rauf has expressed his anger after Indian legends refused to play Pakistan Champions in the WCL 2025 due to political tensions, despite the fact that players like Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Shikhar Dhawan were seen hanging out with Pakistani counterparts, travelling together, shopping, and partying.
WCL 2025: Behind the scenes, you travel together: Abdur Rauf Khan slams Indian players
Abdur Rauf Khan was quoted as saying by the Times of India, “Public ke saamne yeh dikhate ho ki hum nahi khelenge, aur saath mein ghumoge aur shopping karoge, yeh unfair hai [You show the public that you won’t play each other, but behind the scenes you travel together and go shopping-that’s unfair]. They hang around together, eat together, and party together-then when it comes to playing a match, why do they portray a different picture in front of the public?”
The former Pakistani cricketer said that players from both sides share deep friendships, often spending time together during tours. But when it comes to public appearances, they show a completely different picture of themselves, which fuels unnecessary drama and confusion among the fans.
Rauf further added, “It’s not just Pakistani players-even Indian players feel it. We’ve played together, shared dressing rooms, eaten together, gone shopping on tours, and stayed in each other’s hotel rooms-we’re friends off the field. To then portray such a hard divide to the public-like ‘we won’t play ‘them’-that creates unnecessary hype.”
Abdur Rauf Khan slams the cancellation of the India vs Pakistan match in WCL 2025
Abdur reacted strongly to the cancelled India vs Pakistan match in WCL 2025. He said fans who came with excitement were left heartbroken. Rauf felt players should respect the game and give fans what they truly deserve.
The former Pakistan fast bowler said, “Behind the scenes, the reality is very different. The fans, who come with so much excitement and emotion, are left disappointed. It’s not a good look for cricket. We owe better to the game and its fans.”
Don’t stop cricket over politics, says Abdur Rauf Khan
After the Pahalgam attack in April, cricket between India and Pakistan came to a standstill. Rauf feels this shouldn’t happen every time tensions rise. He believes that the game and politics should stay separate and that both countries should agree to keep playing, no matter the situation.
Rauf stressed that fans suffer the most when matches are cancelled and urged for a system that ensures cricket continues, even during tough times between the two nations.
He signed off by saying, “Unfortunately, the fans are the ones who suffer the most… I believe there should be a formal agreement that regardless of political tensions, ICC-sanctioned events or bilateral tournaments should continue uninterrupted.”