Shahid Afridi Sparks Controversy with Subtle Jab at Shikhar Dhawan and Yuvraj Singh: ‘Bechaare Jab Se Paida Huye Hain…’

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi subtly criticised Shikhar Dhawan and Yuvraj Singh in relation to the last-minute cancellation of the WCL 2025 fixture between India and Pakistan.

Shahid Afridi: Tensions Rise Ahead of India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 Clash

The Asia Cup 2025 is in full swing, with attention turning to the high-stakes encounter between India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. This will be the first match between the two nations following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, sparking growing calls for a boycott in India as fans voice frustration over the game going ahead despite national sentiments.

Amid the tension, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi reignited controversy by taking a veiled dig at Shikhar Dhawan and Yuvraj Singh regarding the cancellation of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 clash between the arch-rivals. Earlier this year, the India Champions, led by Yuvraj, were scheduled to face Pakistan Champions in the WCL, but the match was cancelled after social media backlash. Several former Indian players, including Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Suresh Raina, pulled out, prompting the organisers to scrap the contest.

Dhawan clarified that he had informed the organisers well in advance about his decision not to participate. Shahid Afridi, reflecting on the incident in the lead-up to the Asia Cup tie, said on Samaa TV, “I have always said that cricket should go on; it has always helped in making the relations better between the two countries. In England, people had bought tickets to see the WCL match, and the players had practised. Then you didn’t play. What was the thinking? I just can’t understand.”

He added cryptically, “Agar mai naam lunga na iss waqt, toh wo beechare phass jayenge (If I name any player, then their lives would be made hard). The player I referred to as a bad egg, his captain also told him, ‘If you don’t want to play, then don’t play. Just don’t tweet on social media. But that said, the player had come with an ulterior motive. That is why he was a bad egg.”

Shahid Afridi said, “Some indian players are still trying to prove they are Indians. Since birth, they’ve been showing that they are Indians, and now they are doing commentary in the Asia Cup.”pic.twitter.com/Ru0sYdZfYO

— junaiz (@dhillow_) September 11, 2025

‘Certain players trying to prove they are Indian’

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, part of the 2009 T20 World Cup-winning squad, intensified the pre-Asia Cup tension with a bizarre claim that some former Indian players are still trying to “prove they are Indian.” He said, “There are plenty of issues. Gharon tak paunch jaate hain, ghar jalaane ki dhamkiyaan dete hain un players ko. Kuch aise hain jo vahan saabit kar rahe hain ki hum Hindustaani hain. Bechaare jabse paida huye hain saabit kar rahe hain hum hindustani hain. (Some people reach the houses of players and threaten to burn them down. Certain players are still trying to prove they are Indian. They have been displaying this ever since being born). Now they are doing commentary in the Asia Cup.”

This is not Shahid Afridi’s first controversial statement against India. Following the Pahalgam terror attack, he had publicly questioned the Indian Armed Forces, sparking a heated exchange with Shikhar Dhawan on X (formerly Twitter).

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